Weekly Toll: The Bell Continues to Toll For American Workers

Bentleyville man dies at ArcelorMittal plant in Monessen

Monessen, PA — A Bentleyville man died Sunday night at the ArcelorMittal Coke Plant in Monessen. According to a report Tuesday from the Washington County coroner’s office, Robert Klett, 60, was found unresponsive about 10:45 p.m. Sunday at the plant at 345 Donner Ave. The report said the cause of death was blunt-force trauma to the chest, and that it is being investigated as an accidental death by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The report did not say what happened at the plant that night, but it said there were no witnesses to the incident.

31-year-old worker dies on construction site at 11th Street and Grand in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A construction worker has died Tuesday at a downtown Kansas City job site, officials say. Investigators have not released the name of the worker but say the person was 31 years old and was employed by Ramp Up Labor. Titan Built Construction is the general contractor on the construction site, located near 11th Street and Grand. Initial information suggests the worker died in a fall.

Man dies while working at Irvine tubing, pipe manufacturing company

IRVINE, CA – A 50-year-old man died Friday morning, Dec. 1, in an apparent accident at an Irvine metal tubing and pipe manufacturing company. The incident happened shortly before 11 a.m. at PCC Rollmet on Deere Avenue. He had been working with heavy machinery when the accident happened, said Capt. Larry Kurtz of the Orange County Fire Authority. Irvine police and Cal-OSHA are conducting investigations.

Worker dies in East Side landfill accident

SAN ANTONIO, TX – A man was killed Monday morning in a workplace accident at a landfill on the city’s East Side. The victim’s body was found at Republic Services Tessman Road Landfill off Interstate 10 near Foster Road, police said. Officer Carlos Ortiz, of the San Antonio Police Department, said the man signed in around 9:54 a.m. to discard some trash. Minutes later, someone found his body next to his trash truck, police said. According to a police report, an officer arrived to the find the victim caught in a hydraulic arm that’s used to operate the netting which covers the load of the truck. No one witnessed the accident, police said.

Cherry Falls, WV — Officials have identified the Division of Highways employee who reportedly died of smoke inhalation in Cherry Falls after a fire started at the agency’s Webster County headquarters Monday morning. Stephen Cogar, 22, died in the fire, according to a news release from the Webster County Office of Emergency Services. Officials received two 911 hang-up calls from a cellphone Monday morning. Dispatchers in Webster County discovered the phone number was registered to Cogar, whom they had also spoken to on social media prior to the hang-up calls.

Industrial accident blamed for death of Wauzeka man

Wauzeka, IA — Curtis Groom, 26, of Wauzeka, died Nov. 29, as a result of injuries sustained in an industrial accident last Monday afternoon, Nov. 27, at Dillman Equipment, a division of Astec, in Prairie du Chien, according to a family friend. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) opened an inspection/investigation into the incident on Thursday, Nov. 30, after Groom died Wednesday night, according to Rhonda Burke, U.S. Department of Labor Deputy Director of Public Affairs. OSHA’s Madison area office is looking into whether or not there was any violation of safety or health rules at the facility, Burke said. The action could take up to six months to complete and, at that time, Dillman could be cited and penalized if there are any violations found as a result.According to a friend of the family, Groom’s injury involved a sandblasting accident

Red Lion man run over, killed, by pickup truck, has been identified

Red Lion, PA – A 73-year-old man died Wednesday after he was run over by a pickup truck in Red Lion, according to Pennsylvania State Police. The coroner has identified the victim as Frank Pantano. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. in the 100 block of Householder Avenue, at a family member’s business, according to a news release from York County Coroner Pam Gay. The man was driving a company-owned 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck with a bed full of concrete powder when he tried to put the truck in park, according to a state police news release. The vehicle continued to move forward after he got out. When he tried to stop it, the truck ran him over.

San Marcos police officer killed in ‘ambush-type’ shooting

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) — The San Marcos police officer shot and killed Monday afternoon has been identified as 58-year-old Kenneth Copeland, in what has become the first officer killed in the line of duty in that police department’s history. Copeland, who had a wife and four children, was working on what would have been his day off, serving an arrest warrant for a violent crime around 2:23 p.m., Chief of Police Chase Stapp said in an emotional news conference Monday evening. Shortly after the officers arrived in the El Camino Real subdivision, the male suspect — who has not been identified — began firing at the officers, “much like in an ambush type of situation,” Chief Stapp said. Copeland was wearing a protective vest, but was shot multiple times.

Pinellas mosquito control worker found dead while running tests

LARGO, FL — A Pinellas County employee was found dead face-down in a creek where he had been sent to conduct mosquito control tests Monday, authorities said. Rafael Lorenzo Ufret Ortiz, 63, of St. Petersburg had worked for the county since 2002. A park ranger found his body shortly after noon in the easement north of 134th Avenue N between Adams Circle and 121st Street, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. His death is not believed to be suspicious, deputies said, though the cause remains unknown. Ortiz, a senior spray technician, was last seen about 7:30 a.m. going to the creek. Someone reported that a county truck appeared to be stuck along the easement, with a door open, about 11:45 a.m.

Truck driver killed in crash at Alabama Welcome Center

MOBILE COUNTY, AL (WALA) – Alabama State Troopers said a crash involving an 18-wheeler left one man dead and another person injured. It happened at 6:50 a.m. Sunday at the Alabama Welcome Center on Interstate 10 in Mobile County just east of the Alabama/Mississippi state line. Investigators say the truck driver left the road, hit a tree and then caught fire. Troopers said the truck driver was killed. Their identity has not been released.

Worker killed at Clark County logging site near Rock Dam

NEILLSVILLE, Wis. (WAOW) – A worker died at a logging site, Clark County Chief Deputy Sheriff James Hirsch said Monday. The worker died Friday near some logging equipment at the site in the Rock Dam area northwest of Neillsville in the Township of North Foster, Hirsch said in a statement. Rescuers were called to the scene about 4:45 p.m.

Toll worker killed in Bay Bridge crash left behind husband, daughter

San Francisco, CA — Friends and family are still coping with the death of a toll worker who was killed early Saturday morning after a driver rammed into her booth. KRON4’s Spencer Blake says the victim, 46-year-old Si Si Han, was married and the mother of a 10-year-old daughter. Han had worked for Caltrans for over a decade. Han was killed after 32-year-old Daniel Berk crashed into her toll booth around 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning. Berk sustained serious injuries as a result of the crash and was transported to a hospital.

Man killed at construction site for new Delaware home

DELAWARE, Ohio (WSYX/WTTE) — A construction worker was killed after he fell from the second story of a Delaware home under construction per police. Delaware police said the man was in his 40s and was working on a new home from Pulte Homes on Eagle Walk Road. According to police, he fell from the second story of the new home into the basement just before noon Saturday.

Contract worker killed at Beaumont refinery ID’d

Beaumont, TX — A contract worker killed in a construction accident at Beaumont’s Exxon Mobil refinery on Friday was identified as Yesenia Espinoza by her employer on Saturday. Mike Roebuck, president of Echo Maintenance, called Espinoza’s death “very sad.” He declined to give details about how Espinoza was killed. He did not release her age or city of residence.

Authorities ID tow-truck driver killed in crash on I-72

Springfield, IL — A tow-truck driver who was working to load a disabled vehicle onto his truck was killed Friday after he was struck by another vehicle along Interstate 72 in Springfield. The driver, Ronald E. Chaney, 56, of Springfield was standing outside of his truck at 9:48 a.m. on the right shoulder of I-72 westbound between the MacArthur Boulevard and Veterans Parkway exits when, for an unknown reason, a Jeep utility vehicle veered to the right, striking the disabled car and the tow-truck driver, Illinois State Police said.

Truck driver killed in crash with train

Altamonte Springs, FL — Authorities say a Georgia truck driver was killed when a Florida commuter train crashed into a semitrailer. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) confirms that there was semi vs SunRail incident in the Altamonte Springs area just before noon. Residents said semi-trucks frequently backup at the train crossing as they try to meet up with the loading dock.The 40-year-old driver of the semitruck died in the crash, investigators said.

Employee Killed Inside Dorchester Store

BOSTON, MA – An employee was shot and killed inside a Dorchester business late Friday night. Boston Police were called to Peguero’s Market on Bowdoin Street and found a man who had been fatally shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene just before midnight. Loved ones of 30-year-old Natlino Gomes say he was closing Peguero’s Market when he was shot.

Man Dies After Being Struck By Propane Truck

CALVERTON, NY — Tragedy struck in Calverton Tuesday when an employee at a propane company died after being struck by a truck driven by a coworker, police said. According to Riverhead Town Police, the accident took place at 1:05 p.m.; police received a 911 call about the incident, which took place at Peconic Propane, located at 3947 Middle Country Road. Upon police arrival, it was determined that George Scott, 35, of Aquebogue, had been struck by one of the company’s vehicles, a 2015 International Harvester Tank truck that was being operated by Thomas F. Witkop Jr., 43, of Wading River, another employee of the company, police said.

Worker shot to death outside Mount Vernon rehab center

MOUNT VERNON, NY – A worker was shot to death Thursday night outside of Westchester Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Mount Vernon. Police say 32-year-old Desmond Fleming, of the Bronx, was targeted in the parking lot adjacent to the center. Fellow employees say it appeared that Fleming suffered gunshot wounds to the chest and stomach. News 12 is told that Fleming worked in the center’s kitchen and was a well-liked employee. The rehab center caters to senior citizens and has operated on Claremont Avenue for more than three decades. Police have not said whether any arrests were made.

Construction worker dies after fall in Old City

Philadelphia, PA — A construction worker has died after falling four stories from an Old City building. The incident happened near 3rd and Arch streets at about 2 p.m. Thursday, Philadelphia police said. The 28-year-old man was working on the site when he fell. The man was transported to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly before 3 p.m.

Family identifies crossing guard struck, killed while directing traffic

COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Family members have identified a crossing guard struck and killed while directing traffic at a Cobb County middle school Thursday morning. The incident happened outside of Lindley Middle School on Veterans Memorial Highway in Mableton, according to Lisa Watson of Cobb County Schools. Police said the driver of a Ford Focus was westbound in teh school zone when he swerved left into the center turn lane around slowing or stopped traffic. He continued driving on Veterans Memorial Highway when he struck the school crossing guard. Family members identified the crossing guard as 64-year-old Edna Umeh, of Austell, Ga.

CA Truck Driver Killed in Semi Crash in Oklahoma

SHAWNEE, OK – A California man driving a tractor-trailer rig along eastbound Interstate 40 died Thursday afternoon near Shawnee when the semi left the roadway and struck some trees. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the crash occurred about 1:37 p.m. just east of mile marker 182 in Pottawatomie County. According to a report in the Shawnee News-Star, the 2016 Kenworth tractor-trailer, driven by 51-year old Jesus Sida Lucero of San Bernardino was eastbound, when, for unknown reasons, the semi departed the roadway and struck a tree. After that, the semi continued traveling through a fence and then struck a second tree. Lucero suffered a head injury and was pronounced dead at the scene by the state medical examiner, the patrol said.

OSHA investigating after worker death in LeRoy

LEROY, MN — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death of an Iowa man that occurred Monday at a local business. The investigation was launched after Gary James Retterath, 47, of Stacyville, Iowa, died while working at SEMA Equipment Inc. According to Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi, Retterath was working on a raised platform to repair a combine. According to media reports, Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi said Retterath was working on a raised platform to repair a combine at the time of the incident; Amazi did not immediately respond to request for comment from the Post Bulletin. Amazi said the victim was trying to remove an auger when it snapped, causing him to lose his footing and fall about 10 feet onto a concrete floor with a metal grate. An ambulance was called to the scene, but CPR proved unsuccessful and he was declared dead at the scene.

Police: Worker Killed in Accident at Power Plant

SPRINGFIELD, N.H. (AP) — Authorities in New Hampshire say a worker has been killed in an accident at a power plant. WMUR-TV reports the worker was killed at Springfield Power on Monday. New Hampshire State Police have identified the victim as 23-year-old Dakota LaBrecque, of Loudon. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation to determine if any workplace safety violations occurred. Springfield Power is a wood-burning energy plant.

Tank blast in Middlesex kills manager

Middlesex, NC — An outside storage tank at the Pennco wastewater treatment chemical manufacturing plant in Middlesex exploded Friday morning, killing plant manager and former Middlesex town commissioner Dale Bachman. According to Middlesex Police Chief Michael Collins, Bachman, 64, was working on a ladder operating an electrical tool of some sort on the tank. “We aren’t sure what the tool was due to the extent of the damage, we can only tell that it was a hand-held electrical tool of some sort,” he said. The blast was so strong that the blast wave could be felt throughout the town of Middlesex, with many residents posting on social media that their houses shook. Aerial footage of the damage showed the tank had been completely destroyed by the blast. Nearby buildings were also being inspected for damage. The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined and remains under investigation.

Trucking company employee killed in tanker accident identified

Fords, NJ — The victim of Wednesday afternoon’s fatal tanker incident has been identified as 43-year-old Fords resident Tenio Settimio Paone according to police and an obituary posted online. While police do not suspect foul play, the circumstances surrounding the death of Paone are still under investigation.

Worker electrocuted after truck hits power line near I-44 in Fenton; hundreds without power

ST. LOUIS, MO — A worker has been electrocuted and over 400 Ameren customers are out of power near Fenton, Missouri. A boom truck hit a power line at around 10 a.m. near Interstate 44 east of Mraz Road. One person has died as a result of the accident — a contract worker for MoDOT. The electrocution victim, identified as 39-year-old Stephen Tepatti of Florissant, was apparently getting a core sample of the road for MoDOT. “(He was) trying to drill a hole trying to check the thickness of the concrete for a project that’s getting ready to come open in the next few months,” said Missouri Highway Patrol spokesman Dallas Thompson. When Tepatti raised the boom to drill for a sample, he hit a high power line and was electrocuted by 12,000 volts.

Man dies at Boone County mine

BOONE COUNTY, WV (WVVA) – Mine safety officials are investigating the death of a miner at a Boone County operation. According to West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety and Training, the miner died while accessing a “manhole at a clarifying pond.” It happened around 3:00 p.m. Tuesday at Blackhawk Mining. The miner has been identified as Zachary Grant Harris , 28, of Foster Road, WV. Harris was a mobile equipment operator at the mine.A cause of death is not known at this time. Harris is the eight mining death reported at West Virginia this year.

Police identify contractor who died at Garmin construction site

Olathe, KS — A 28-year-old Holden, Mo., man was the victim of a construction accident at the site of Garmin International Inc.’s $200 million headquarters expansion. According to The Kansas City Star, Olathe police identified Jubal D. Hubbard as the contractor killed when a high-pressure valve ruptured Monday afternoon. The accident occurred near a warehouse loading dock.

A postal worker was killed on the job. Her ex-boyfriend had been stalking her, witnesses say

Decatur, Ga.– Six months ago, the couple had a baby together. But on Monday night, 22-year-old Tyrika Terrell was shot in the head and killed right outside of the Decatur, Ga. postal office where she worked — and investigators have said that her estranged boyfriend is the suspected shooter, WSB-TV reports. Witnesses said that Terrell’s estranged boyfriend had been stalking the young mother in the days leading up to her death, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Employee Killed After Being Pinned Against Container

Mattawa, WA — Cheryl Wrona, an employee of Diaond E Transport, LLC, was killed on November 27 when she was pinned between bales of hay and back of freight container as container was being loaded. (Source: Washington Department of Labor and Industries)

QUEENS MASSAGE PARLOR WORKER FALLS TO DEATH DURING NYPD RAID

Queens, NY — An alleged sex worker fell to her death in Queens during a police raid over the weekend. It happened Saturday night, when officers stormed a massage parlor on 40th Road in Flushing. Sources tell NY1 the spa was being investigated for illegal sex activities. Police say they were trying to catch the 38-year-old woman when they saw her fall to the sidewalk from a third floor window. She suffered serious injuries, and died Sunday at the hospital.

Logger killed in Brentwood tree accident

BRENTWOOD, NH – In what police are calling an industrial accident, a logger was killed Sunday afternoon while doing work at a Middle Road residence when a tree fell on top of him. The victim’s name has not been released pending notification of family members. Police, fire, EMS and Exeter ALS responded to the scene of the fatal accident, 102 Middle Road, at 1:25 p.m. Sunday for a report of an unresponsive male subject who had been struck by a tree, police said. Upon arrival to the scene, a 35-year-old Epsom man was found deceased. Police said an investigation revealed the man was actively notching a tree when another he had already begun to fell was blown over by a strong gust of wind, striking him from behind. The man was by himself doing the tree work, police said.

Pedestrian, truck driver killed on roadways

Missoula., MT — A truck driver on Interstate 15 near Dell in Beaverhead County wrecked his semi after over-correcting and died. The male driver was the only occupant. His semi slid down the median 100 yards before coming to rest on its top just before 11 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25. He was traveling north not far from the Idaho border.

Construction Worker Killed in Fall

Spokane, WA — Nicholas Leavitt, an employee of Graham Construction & Management, Inc fell approximately 20 feet to a lower level on November 16. He died on November 26. (Source: Washington Department of Labor and Industries)

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