Crane collapse, train crash, caught in machinery, fall down an elevator shaft, shootings, vehicle incidents, On average, over 100 workers are killed every week in the United States due to traumatic injuries suffered at work. More than 20 times as many die from occupational diseases, many due to exposure to hazardous substances many years before they died. The few narratives below (gathered from almost 100 Google News searches) do not come close to capturing the full toll that work takes on the working people of this country. Nevertheless the accounts below gave you a taste of the preventable carnage occurring in workplaces across the country every day.
1 person dead after construction crane overturns
Orange County, FL — A person trapped under a crane has died after the device fell on top of them during an industrial accident in Florida, authorities said. The accident happened at approximately 3:16 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon at a construction site on Heather Moss Drive, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. “A crane at a construction site overturned and fell down an embankment,” authorities said. “One person was transported to the hospital, where they later died.” Officials said they believe OSHA will be investigating the industrial accident and what caused it, according to a post on social media from Orange County Fire and Rescue.
Columbia County sheriffs respond to industrial crash that left one dead
MCNEIL, Ark. – Deputies with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office are investigating after an industrial crash that left one person dead. Officials said that the crash took place two miles east of the Hwy 98 intersection as Union Pacific crews were repairing a washout area on the railroad tracks from the recent days of heavy rain. Deputies said that 43-year-old Danny Brent Wilkins of Rison was struck by machinery and later pronounced dead at the scene by emergency crews. Wilkins’ body will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for examination. Crews from Union Pacific Railroad, Arkansas State Police and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to investigate the incident.
Will County Coroner Identifies 23-Year-Old Man Who Died In Elevator Shaft Accident
Joliet, IL — On April 9, 2024, at 3:40 p.m., Joliet Police Officers responded to L Surges Custom Woodwork at 225 Maple Street for a report of an injured person who had fallen in an elevator shaft. Upon arrival, Officers located an unresponsive 23-year-old male victim at the scene. Officers immediately rendered medical assistance until arrival of Joliet Fire Department Paramedics. Officers learned that the male was among other employees on the second floor of the building. It is believed that the male was assisting in carrying cabinets from the elevator at which time the elevator began rising to a higher floor while the elevator door remained open, blocked by the cabinets. It is believed the male attempted to escape from the rising elevator and became caught between the elevator floor and the second-floor ceiling before falling into the elevator shaft. The victim was transported to Silver Cross Hospital by the Joliet Fire Department, where he was pronounced deceased. The death is believed to be accidental in nature as Officers found no signs of foul play. The Will County Coroner Laurie H. Summers identifying the deceased as Agustin Martinez-Gallegos a 23-year-old man.
Woman killed while ‘trapped’ in machinery at South Carolina fabric plan
Gaffney, SC — A woman working at a textile plant in Upstate South Carolina was killed when she became entangled in the machinery, according to a coroner’s report. It happened around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, at Carolina Cotton Works in Gaffney, Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler said in a news release. Gaffney is near the North Carolina state line, about a 55-mile drive southwest from Charlotte The victim was identified as Brianna Danielle Coyle, 30, of Blacksburg, he said. “Witnesses reported Coyle became trapped at the machine where she was working,” Fowler said. “She was found by co-workers and transported to Cherokee Medical Center for treatment. She succumbed to her injuries and died in the emergency department at 12:57 p.m.”
2 law enforcement officers shot, killed in line of duty in Syracuse
Syracuse, NY — Two law enforcement officers were shot and killed in the line of duty in Syracuse, New York in the Salina area on Sunday, authorities say. According to a Facebook post from the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Syracuse police officers encountered a suspicious vehicle in the area of Emerson Avenue and Hamilton Street around 7 p.m. Sunday. Police attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver refused to stop and fled the area, police said. The officers lost sight of the vehicle but were able to record the vehicle’s license plate. Upon checking the vehicle’s registration information, the officers determined that the registered owner resides on Darien Drive in Liverpool, New York, police said. Syracuse Police, along with members of the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, went to the address and found the vehicle. “While they were inspecting the vehicle and saw what looked to be guns inside, they heard what sounded like someone manipulating a firearm from inside the residence,” Syracuse Police Department Chief Joseph Cecile said in the conference. “Moments later, there was an exchange of gunfire between at least one suspect and the officers and the deputies.” vOne Syracuse police officer and one Onondaga County sheriff’s deputy were struck by gunfire and the suspect was also shot. Both law enforcement officers were transported to Upstate University Hospital, where they later died.
Driver in custody after fleeing from fatal crash involving construction worker
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – A man is in custody after allegedly driving into a construction area and hitting a worker, according to the Wilmington Police Department. Wilmington police say the suspect, Dakota Quinn Knight, 29, ran from the crash after hitting Michelle Von Seggern. Von Seggern died at the scene. Friday would have been her 54th birthday. According to the WPD, units responded at around 1 a.m. Thursday, April 11, to the area of Military Cutoff and Covil Farm roads for a call concerning a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian. 29-year-old Dakota Quinn Knight is accused of hitting the worker before fleeing the area on foot. A New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office deputy later found Knight behind a nearby church.
Delivery driver shot, killed outside of north Indianapolis house
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — IMPD is investigating after a delivery driver was killed in a shooting on Indianapolis’ near north side late Saturday. The shooting was reported around 11:45 p.m. April 13 in the 500 block of East 42nd Street, west of College Avenue. Responding officers located a man who had been shot. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. On April 15, the Marion County Coroner’s Office identified the man as 53-year-old Adesina David Aderinwoye. IMPD Captain Mark McCardia told 13News a preliminary investigation showed the man was delivering food to a house when gunfire rang out. A resident of the house heard the shots and found the man with a gunshot wound in a nearby alley.
Propane truck driver killed in Jerome County crash
Jerome County, ID — Idaho State Police is investigating a single vehicle fatality crash that occurred Thursday at 9:18 a.m., southbound US 93 at 51.7, in Jerome County. A 56-year-old male, from Hagerman, was driving southbound in a 2021 Kenworth Propane Truck. The driver failed to maintain his lane and struck a guardrail before the vehicle went off the right shoulder and overturned multiple times. The driver was wearing his seatbelt and succumbed to his injuries at the time of the crash.
Worker dies following incident at Macon’s Kumho Tire plant
MACON, Georgia – A worker has died after being injured Wednesday afternoon at Kumho Tire in south Macon. Macon-Bibb Coroner Leon Jones confirmed the death before directing our inquiry to Deputy Coroner Luann Stone, who deferred us to Bibb County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Lt. Linda Howard. Howard confirmed an incident happened around 4 p.m. and identified the person who died as 57-year-old Steven Brookins. She did not provide further details and directed questions to Kumho Tire.
Nebraska officer killed during traffic stop
CERESCO, NE (Associated Press) — A veteran police officer was killed when his cruiser was struck by another vehicle after he made a traffic stop in eastern Nebraska, authorities said Saturday. The Nebraska State Patrol said in a news release that Ceresco Police Officer Ross Bartlett, 54, stopped a car about a mile south of Ceresco on Highway 77 about 7:30 p.m. Friday. Both vehicles were parked on the shoulder, and the driver and officer were both seated in their vehicles, when a pickup truck rear-ended the police cruiser, pushing it into the stopped car, the State Patrol statement said. First responders arrived a few minutes later and found bystanders attempting to help Bartlett and the others involved in the crash. He flown to a hospital in Lincoln, where he was pronounced dead.
2 employees dead, 1 man injured in Model City gas station shooting
Miami, FL — Two gas station employees were killed and one man was injured in a shooting in Model City on Saturday morning. According to Miami PD, officers responded to the scene at 1701 NW 54th street around 12:30 A.M. and found the three victims shot. Police say there was an argument that took place inside the gas station and someone pulled out a gun and shot three people, before running from the scene. The employees who were killed were identified as Shahbaz Hussain, 51, and Shamun Shaukat, 42, according to Miami Police. Miami Fire Rescue reportedly rushed the third victim, 57-year-old Elijah Shorter, to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition.
Illinois Department of Corrections employee dies in automobile accident while on the job
PONTIAC, IL – An Illinois Department of Corrections employee who spent time working at the Pontiac prison died unexpectedly last week in a car accident. According to a news release, Andrew John “Drew” Faught, 27, of Joliet passed away last Monday. For the past six years, Faught worked as an officer at Pontiac’s maximum security prison before being promoted to Sergeant. Most recently, Faught served on the IDOC Tactical Response Team.The accident happened while Faught was serving as a member of the IDOC TRT Team.
OSHA investigation underway after man dies following Lancaster Co. industrial accident
LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. — An investigation is underway by OSHA after a man died following an industrial accident in Lancaster County, authorities confirmed. On Thursday, April 11, the Lancaster County coroner responded to MUSC-Lancaster hospital in connection to a fatal injury that happened just before 4 p.m. at a local industrial business. The man, identified as Kennyatta Abrams, 47, of Lancaster, was rushed to the hospital where he passed away from his injuries. The incident remains under investigation by OSHA and the Lancaster County Coroner’s Office.
Memphis Police officer killed, multiple officers shot, after early-morning shooting in southwest Memphis
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two Memphis Police officers were rushed to the hospital with gunshot wounds early Friday morning after being shot on duty in southwest Memphis while responding to a call. Interim Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis confirmed one officer did not survive their injuries. Davis identified the officer as Joseph McKinney. McKinney served out of Raines Station, joining the Memphis Police Department in 2021. The second officer was rushed to Regional One in critical condition, and Davis said their condition was upgraded to non-critical condition. A third officer was grazed by gunfire and treated for minor injuries. According to Memphis Police, officers responded to a suspicious vehicle call at Horn Lake Road and Charter Avenue around 2:20 a.m. Friday. MPD said officers were shot at as they approached the car, and they returned fire.
Whitesboro truck driver killed in LeFlore County crash
LeFlore Countye, OK — A Whitesboro man was killed early Tuesday when his propane truck ran off the road and overturned, ejecting him, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported. The crash occurred about 6:50 a.m. on Oklahoma 63 about a mile west of Whitesboro, in LeFlore County. Troopers said a 2012 Freightliner propane truck driven by Jimmy Howze, 62, was westbound when it ran off the right side of the highway. Howze overcorrected, troopers reported, sending the truck back across the highway and off the left side of the road, where it overturned and struck a tree. , who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected and was pronounced dead at the scene, the OHP reported.
Coroner IDs dump truck driver killed in Lehigh Twp. crash
LEHIGH TWP., Pa. – The dump truck driver who died in a crash in Lehigh Township has been identified. Lincoln P. Brown, 52, of Selinsgrove, died as a result of the injuries sustained in the crash, according to Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lysek. Brown was driving a tri-axle dump truck along Route 145, where the crash happened, Lysek said. Lysek said the manner of death was ruled an accident. A dump truck and a car were involved in the wreck. The dump truck ended up on its side.
Correctional officer killed in apparent accident at Ohio training facility
Pickaway County, OHIO — A correctional officer in southern Ohio was killed in an apparent accident at a training facility Tuesday. Lt. Rodney Osborne, who worked at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, was shot during a training exercise on the firing range at the state’s correctional training academy, according to a news release from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Officials said the incident appears to be an accident, but is being investigated by Ohio State Highway Patrol.
UPS Worker Shot, Killed in Targeted Attack
Birmingham, AL — Police are searching for a gunman they believe specifically targeted a Birmingham, Alabama, UPS worker who was shot and killed Tuesday around 6:05 p.m. ABC News reported the worker was shot about 6:05 p.m. as he walked to his car following his shift. The attacker fired several shots then fled the scene. WBRC noted the victim, 44-year-old Anthony Lamar Love, Jr., was discovered on the ground when police arrived and he was unresponsive. Love was pronounced dead at the scene. Birmingham Police Department’s Sergeant Laquitta Wade commented on the incident, saying, “Some employees are very shaken up about what has happened here. They are scared about what has happened here. We just want to ensure the public that, with this being a targeted attack, there is no one else in danger.”
Security guard killed at a Mid-City bar was shot after denying a man entry
New Orleans, LA — A security guard who was killed outside a Mid-City bar Sunday night was shot after denying a man entry, according to a spokesperson for the bar. The suspect is still at large. Darriel King, 53, was working the front door at Wit’s Inn on North Carrollton Avenue when he was shot in the chest and killed after attempting to prevent another person from entering the bar. “You have to be over 30 to get into our establishment,” the spokesperson said. “The security guard not only saw that he was too young, but that he was extremely intoxicated, and he was armed. So, that security guard decided obviously not to let him in.” The shooting was reported just after 11 p.m., according to the New Orleans Police Department. New Orleans City Council member Oliver Thomas called King a gentle giant and a good friend.
Car dealership employee dies after being shot, suspect identified
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Columbia police have arrested the man involved in a fatal shooting at a car dealership on Greystone Boulevard and a police chase through downtown. According to a post on X, the shooting happened around 3 p.m. on Monday, April 8 and the employee later died from his injuries. The Richland County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Graham Pope, 39.
Semi-truck driver killed in an officer-involved shooting
BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) – The driver of a semi-truck was killed in an officer involved shooting after crashing into a home in Michigan on Monday. Police officers with St. Joseph Township responded to a welfare check involving a semi-truck driver in the Carronde Park area. When they arrived on scene, the semi-truck driver crashed into a police vehicle, drove a short distance and then crashed into a home. The driver then exited the semi and ran away. According to police, the driver and an officer got into a “violent altercation” and the officer shot the driver. The driver was taken to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. Police describe him as a 42-year-old Tennessee man, but did not release his name.