I was on vacation last week, so this is a longer list than usual. Another trench collapse, falls, shootings, traffic incidents, forklifts, electrocution, explosion. On average, almost 100 workers are killed every week in the United States due to traumatic injuries suffered at work. Over 20 times as many die from occupational diseases, many due to exposure to hazardous substances many years before they died, or from COVID-19 acquired at work. 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 — even in normal years, much less during the COVID pandemic. Nevertheless the accounts below gave you a taste of the preventable carnage occurring in workplaces across the country every day.
Vitro forklift accident claims woman’s life
WICHITA COUNTY, TX — Officials with the Wichita County Sheriff’s Office said an investigation is underway after a woman died from injuries sustained during an industrial accident over the weekend. According to Melvin Joyner, a Community Services Unit Deputy with WCSO, the incident occurred sometime before 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Vitro Architectural Glass, formerly PPG, in the 7400 block of Central Freeway. Authorities said deputies responded to the United Regional emergency room around 6 p.m. in reference to a death investigation. Deputies said the reporting party told them a woman had been brought to the emergency room by AMR after she was run over by a forklift. Officials said the woman died a short time after her arrival at the emergency room. According to WCSO officials, the victim has been identified as Kimberly Wright, 31.
One person killed and seven injured when chicken house collapses, Pennsylvania cops say
Tyrone, PA — One person was killed and seven more injured when a chicken house collapsed in Pennsylvania, state police say. WHP screengrab One person was killed and seven hospitalized when a chicken house collapsed on Friday, July 29, Pennsylvania State Police say. Before the chicken house demolished around 7:30 a.m. in Tyrone Township, it was being prepared for demolition, WGAL reported. The eight people inside the building were all contractors and not affiliated with Hillandale Farms, which owns the chicken house, WHP reported. No chickens were in the building. One person was found dead at the scene, Trooper Megan Frazer said. Their identity has not been publicly disclosed. Seven others were taken to area hospitals, Frazer added. It’s unclear of their injuries.
Harmony man killed after being struck by tractor-trailer
Harmony, NC — A Harmony man was killed Friday night when he was struck by a tractor-trailer in the parking lot of a plant. Jason W. Bare, 44, died at the scene on Sheffield Road, the North Carolina Highway Patrol reported. Around 6:48 a.m. troopers responded to the Tyson Foods chicken by-product processing plant to investigate. The highway patrol said that a tractor-trailer, operated by Gary Wayne Davidson of Statesville, was backing toward an unloading bay and struck Bare. Bare was also an employee of Tyson Foods, the patrol said.
Person dies after falling from tree in Beverly Hills neighborhood
LOS ANGELES, CA – An investigation is underway after a person fell from a tree and died Thursday afternoon in Beverly Hills. Coldwater Canyon between Beverly Drive and Woodland Drive is closed until further notice.
Police responded to the area around 3 p.m. after receiving reports of an industrial accident. Details leading up to the person’s death were unclear, but police reported a preliminary investigation indicated the person may have been a landscaper who was working in the area at the time at the fall.
Elwood officer shot and killed during traffic stop
ELWOOD, Ind. — An Elwood police officer was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop Sunday morning. Indiana State Police detectives say that around 2:00 a.m. Sunday, 24-year-old Elwood Officer Noah Shahnavaz was conducting a traffic stop near the intersection of State Road 37 and County Road 1100N in Madison County. For a reason unknown, the suspect exited the vehicle and fired multiple rounds, striking Officer Shahnavaz at least once. Shahnavaz was transported to Ascension St. Vincent Mercy in Elwood and later was flown to an Indianapolis area hospital. He was pronounced dead soon after. An Elwood city public safety official says Shahnavaz was one of the newer officers on the force. He served the Elwood community for 11 months after serving in the Army for five years before joining the police academy.
Officer killed at Davis Correctional Facility in Holdenville
HOLDENVILLE, Okla. — An officer was killed at the Davis Correctional Facility in Holdenville. In a press release from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, an officer died from an injury sustained after an attack by an inmate on Sunday. The release said that a group of inmates was being returned to their housing area from recreation and the officer was attacked by the assailant. Lifesaving efforts were administered but were unsuccessful, the release said. According to the release, they will not be releasing the identity of the officer at this time.
Truck driver hit and killed at Upstate terminal, coroner says
GAFFNEY, S.C. — truck driver was hit and killed in the parking lot of a Gaffney truck terminal, according to Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler. The coroner identified the victim as Raymond Boone, 62, of Columbia, Missouri. he coroner said Boone was an employee of UPS Freight. The coroner said the incident happened at 4:44 a.m. Friday at the terminal located at 129 Pleasant School Road. The coroner said for an unknown reason, Boone stopped and got out of his rig. He said as Boone was walking toward the passenger side of the truck, he was struck by a jockey buggy. According to the coroner, Boone was not wearing a reflective vest and the area where he was walking was not well lighted. The South Carolina division of the Occupational Safety Health Administration is investigating.
Spalding County deputy killed when tree falls on patrol car, sheriff says
SPALDING COUNTY, Ga. — A Spalding County sheriff’s deputy has died after a pine tree fell on his patrol car, according to Sheriff Darrell Dix. Sheriff Dix said that Deputy Jamie Reynolds was driving on Hwy. 16 near Shoal Creek Road at 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning when the tree fell. The sheriff said the tree crushed the passenger compartment of the car. Reynolds was killed instantly. Spalding County Coroner Michael Pryor pronounced Reynolds dead on the scene. Georgia State Patrol says Reynolds tried to stop his 2009 Crown Victoria patrol car, but was unsuccessful and the tree came down on the windshield and roof.
Construction worker falls to death in Alleghany County
ALLEGHANY COUNTY, Va. — One man was pronounced dead after a construction site accident in Alleghany County. At approximately 10:43 a.m. on Friday, the Alleghany County and Covington Sheriff’s Offices alongside EMS personnel responded to the construction site near the Alleghany Highlands YMCA. According to the 911 emergency dispatch center, a construction worker had fallen approximately 21 feet to the ground. First responders arrived to find a 28-year-old Hispanic male, Javier Suniga Cervuantes, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Chesaning DPW worker dies after crash involving Gator ORV
CHESANING, Mich. – One person is dead after a crash in Chesaning. Police say the crash happened on Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of S. Main St. and E. Liberty St. According to police, a vehicle struck an off-road Village of Chesaning Department of Public Works vehicle driven by an employee. The employee has been identified as 18-year-old Rafe Deal. The driver of the Gator ORV passed away on scene, despite life saving measure being tried. The driver of the vehicle that struck the Gator sustained minor injury and was transported to the hospital for evaluation.
Breaking news: DeLand auto shop owner killed in fatal work accident
DELAND. IL – The owner of a DeLand automotive and sales shop in DeLand died while working on a car on Tuesday. Myles Von Behren, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident on Tuesday, but officials say the case is still under investigation. This case is being investigated by the Piatt County Sheriff’s Department and the Piatt County Coroner’s Office,” said Piatt County Coroner Troy Dunn. “An autopsy was performed with results showing traumatic injury to the chest. This case is being investigated as a tragic accident and out of respect for the family, no further information will be released at this time.”
Worker at York County salvage yard dies after being trapped under forklift
SPRING GARDEN TOWNSHIP, Pa. A worker at a salvage yard in York County died after he was trapped under a forklift, according to investigators. Crews were called around 7:30 a.m. Wednesday to J&K Salvage in Spring Garden Township. The coroner’s office said witnesses reported that the 59-year-old man had been working on the forklift when it suddenly collapsed on him. The man died at the scene. His name hasn’t been released yet.
Roofer dies after falling off library near North Carolina coast, officials say
Morehead City, NC — A roofer died after plunging off the top of a library near the North Carolina coast, officials said. The contractor was working on the Morehead City Library when he fell on Wednesday, July 27. He later died from his injuries, according to city officials. The man was identified in a news release as 36-year-old Miguel Trinidad Delgado of Beulaville, a town roughly 90 miles southeast of Raleigh. Officials said Delgado fell from a library building on South 8th Street in Morehead City, near the popular vacation destinations of Emerald Isle and Atlantic Beach. The city said it had hired A-D’s Metal Roofing Co., which started a repair project on the roof days before the worker’s death. The company didn’t immediately respond to McClatchy News’ requests for comment on July 27.
Man driving golf cart hit and killed while on the job in Tahoe City
PLACER COUNTY, Calif. — A man driving a golf cart was hit and killed Tuesday morning in Tahoe City. Around 6:30 a.m., a man from Tahoe City was driving a Honda heading westbound on Highway 28 west of Grove Street, according to California Highway Patrol — Truckee. A man in his fifties from Kings Beach was driving a golf cart belonging to the Tahoe City Downtown Association. The person driving the Honda hit the back of the golf cart, and the man was thrown from the golf cart and died. Drugs or alcohol aren’t suspected in the crash, according to CHP Truckee. The Tahoe City Downtown Association announced that it was one of their employees who was killed in the accident while on the job.
Industrial accident in Brooke County claims worker’s life
WELLSBURG, W.Va. — An industrial machine accident has claimed a man’s life in Brooke County. Brooke County authorities said Daniel Lee Morris, 42 of Beech Bottom, died from his injuries sustained during an accident that occurred around 5:00 pm Tuesday at the Jupiter Aluminum facility in Wellsburg. According to WTRF-TV, officials say the victim got caught in a mandrill. The accident is being investigated by Jupiter and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Tow truck driver killed when truck falls on him on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Somerset County
SOMERSET, Pa. — A tow truck driver has died after a truck he was preparing to tow fell on him and killed him. The incident happened a little after 12:05 a.m. Wednesday in the westbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, about 7 miles west of Somerset. The eastbound lanes were closed between the New Stanton and Breezewood exits and all lanes were closed between Somerset and Donegal following the incident. According to the Daily American, 26-year-old Thomas Hoket was pronounced dead at 1:34 a.m. by Somerset Deputy Coroner Alexis Lichty, who responded to the scene.
Worker killed in accident at Middletown Works steel mill
Middletown, OH — A person working at Middletown Works on Tuesday morning died after an incident while doing routine maintenance. Wessley Thomas Blanton, 46, of West Carrollton was identified as the worker killed in the workplace incident Tuesday morning, a coroner’s office spokesperson said in a media release Thursday. Blanton was conducting a planned maintenance operation at the hot mill strip when he died, said Patricia Persico, a spokesperson with Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. A hot strip mill reheats thick steel slabs into thin sheets. The president of Union IAM Local 1943, Shawn Coffey, said an investigation into what happened is under way, and more details about it are not available. The Middletown Works plant is operated by Cleveland-Cliffs, also referred to as Cliffs. According to the company, the facility is “an integrated steel operation with carbon steel melting, casting, hot- and cold-rolling and finishing operations.”
Dworshak Dam worker dies from carbon monoxide poisoning
CLEARWATER COUNTY, Idaho – The Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office says a Dworshak Dam worker died from carbon monoxide poisoning last month. Clearwater County deputies said responded to a call of an unresponsive man on June 30. When they got there, they found 54-year-old Eric Engle of Orofino dead. While investigating, deputies learned Engle was an employee with the Army Corps of Engineers and was using a gas powered pressure washer in a small area leading to a diversion tunnel. The Clearwater County Coroner ordered an autopsy to be conducted to determine the cause of death. The coroner ruled that Engle died from carbon monoxide poisoning from the pressure washer fumes.
IIIinois worker’s death at Tyson beef plant under investigation
JOSLIN, III. — Following the death of a 22-year-employee at the Tyson beef plant in Joslin, III., the company said it would work with authorities regarding the investigation. A report from the Quad City Times said Casen Garcia was found outside the doors of a rendering area of the plant on July 9 near the end of his morning shift. Tyson Foods released a statement on the situation to MEAT+POULTRY. “We’re cooperating with authorities as they investigate the passing of one of our team members from our Joslin facility,” a Tyson spokesperson said. “We extend our thoughts and prayers to the team member’s family, friends, and co-workers. We have no other details to share at this time.” Preliminary autopsy reports from Brian Gustafson, the Rock Island County coroner, said that Garcia had an enlarged heart. The rest of the results are still being determined.
Construction worker electrocuted at Charlotte airport
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A construction worker at Charlotte Douglas International Airport died when they were electrocuted over the weekend, officials said. The North Carolina Department of Labor confirmed the incident happened around midnight Sunday. A spokesperson for the NCDOL said the worker was an employee of Rosendin Electric. An investigation surrounding the incident is underway by the Occupational Safety and Health Division. NCDOL officials said it may take several months to complete the investigation. The worker who died has not been identified.
Jacksonville man identified as victim in deadly construction accident in St. Johns County development
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A 35-year-old Jacksonville man has been identified as the victim of a fatal industrial accident at a construction site in the Silverleaf community of St. Johns County, the St. Johns Sheriff’s Office reported. According to the incident report, Joshua Longley of Jacksonville was killed while operating an excavator Thursday morning on Courtney Vista Drive, which runs east of Silverleaf Parkway just off County Road 16A. A witness said Longley was operating the excavator when he hit a ditch and was launched forward out of his seat then run over by the excavator. The excavator continued to drive freely until it hit a tree. The sheriff’s office’s major crimes unit arrived at the scene and continued the investigation. News4JAX confirmed Thursday that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) opened an investigation into what it called a “tragic incident.” J.B. Coxwell Contracting, Inc., which employed Longley, declined to comment.
Officials investigate worker’s death at Silver Dollar City
BRANSON, Mo. (AP) — An employee of Silver Dollar City near Branson has died from head injuries while working at the park, federal officials said. The employee was hospitalized Wednesday with “head injuries allegedly sustained during maintenance and testing of a rollercoaster,” said Rhonda Burke, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Labor. The person was declared dead with blunt force trauma on Thursday. No one else at the park was injured. The park did not release the person’s name. The person worked at the park since 2017 in maintenance and construction. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration opened an investigation into the death on Friday.
Man killed in trench collapse was retired East Windsor firefighter
VERNON. CT — The construction worker who died after he was buried in a trench collapse at a construction site in Vernon last week has been identified. Vernon police said the man was Dennis Slater, 56, of the Broad Brook section of East Windsor. The collapse occurred at the construction site of a new housing development near Bolton Branch Road. Slater was buried by dirt that fell on him and was pulled out of the trench by first responders, Lt. Robert Marra said last week. Slater later died from his injuries after being transported to Manchester Hospital, police said. Slater was a 29-year member of the Broad Brook Fire Department before retiring, but still helped out at major incidents and fundraisers whenever he could, according to a Facebook post from the department.
Ohio sheriff’s deputy killed in shooting at mobile home park
HARMONY, Ohio (AP) — A sheriff’s deputy was shot and fatally wounded while responding to a report of a possible break-in and gunfire at a mobile home in western Ohio. Deputy Matthew Yates was a 15-year veteran of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and a member of its special operations team, Sheriff Deb Burchett said at a press conference Sunday. The responding officers were shot at after they entered the mobile home in Harmony Township, Burchett said. Yates, 41, was wounded and remained inside the home for several hours Sunday before other officers could get him out and take him to a hospital, where he died, the sheriff said.
Just unfathomable’: Officer shot and killed while pulling over vehicle for expired temp tags
NORTH KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV/Gray News) – A Missouri police officer has died from his injuries after he was shot during a traffic stop. On Wednesday, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said 24-year-old Joshua Rocha has been charged in the shooting of officer Daniel Vasquez during a traffic stop Tuesday morning. Authorities said the 32-year-old officer pulled Rocha over because of an expired temporary tag on the car when Rocha fired his weapon at him. Vasquez was taken to a hospital following the shooting, KCTV reported. He ultimately died there from his injuries Tuesday evening. North Kansas City Police Chief Kevin Freeman said Vasquez was a shining star for the department. “All these are tragedies, but to see such a young person so early in his career lose his life to such senseless violence, it’s just unfathomable,” he said.
Jackson postal worker killed after suspect in Pearl police chase strikes his vehicle
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The man who allegedly crashed into a mail truck in a South Jackson neighborhood, killing its driver, fled into the Capital City after being chased for speeding, according to the Pearl Police Department. Thursday, Pearl authorities say they attempted to pull over Brandon Andrews, 20, for speeding on Interstate 20. However, Andrews allegedly failed to pull over, and police chased the suspect into Jackson. The chase ended after Andrews crashed his Toyota Camry into a mail truck at Barbara Ann and Maria Drives. Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham-Stewart has identified the mail carrier as 32-year-old Brad Pennington. Pennington was fatally injured when he tried to escape the vehicle as it tipped over, witnesses say. Pearl Police say the victim was taken to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries.
DeKalb officials ID man killed by falling branch while cutting down trees
DeKalb, GA — Officials have identified a man killed Friday afternoon when he was struck by a large branch while working to cut down trees in DeKalb County. Abimael Ortiz, 32, died while working as part of a crew clearing trees from an undeveloped lot in Stonecrest, Channel 2 Action News reported. Ortiz was seriously injured when the branch fell on top of him and pinned him to the ground around 12:30 p.m., DeKalb Fire Rescue officials said. He was taken to Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center, where he died of his injuries early Saturday morning. According to fire officials, Ortiz’s fellow workers had lifted the branch off him before emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene. Ortiz had been working with Danilo Tree Service and Landscape for five months, Maria Jose Aguilera, Ortiz’s widow, told Channel 2. The couple had just gotten married in June.
Owatonna woman killed in work-related ATV accident
Owatonna, MN — A 33-year-old Owatonna woman was killed in an ATV accident in the southeast area of Houston County on Friday, July 22, according to a press release from the Houston County Sheriff’s Office. Houston County Dispatch received a 911 call at about 11:30 a.m. for an ATV accident. Houston County Sheriff’s Office, Caledonia Police Department and New Albin Ambulance Service responded. Kayla Wimer-Wood of Owatonna, MN was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Sheriff’s Office said it was determined that she was the driver and only occupant on the ATV at that time. Since Ms. Wimer-Wood was working for Carr’s Tree Service of Ottertail, MN, during the incident, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office is working with the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) due to the work-related death. The accident is still under investigation at this time.
Governor orders flags be flown at half staff following fatal helicopter crash
SALMON, ID – In the wake of a helicopter crash on the Salmon River that killed two pilots, Governor Brad Little is ordering flags be flown at half-staff. Thomas Hayes, 41, of Post Falls and Jared Bird, 36, of Anchorage, Alaska were killed in a crash Thursday afternoon while assisting firefighters battling the Moose Fire about five miles southwest of North Fork near Salmon inside Salmon-Challis National Forest. Both of them were employees of ROTAK Helicopter services, decorated veterans and highly experienced pilots. Earlier Friday, the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office reported the pilots died from their injuries after being cut out of the aircraft and taken to the hospital. The crashed helicopter is still in the river, according to MTN News in Montana. Details of the crash have not been released, pending an investigation from the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and the U.S. Forest Service.
Amazon workers demand more details in warehouse employee’s death
Carteret, N.J. — Some employees at the Amazon warehouse where a worker was transported to a hospital and died last week are voicing anger and frustration over the company’s response, calling on the e-commerce giant to release more information. The fatality, which occurred on July 13 during the company’s Prime Day shopping rush at a Carteret, New Jersey, fulfillment center, has kicked off an investigation by federal regulators at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. On Friday, Amazon rejected as “rumors” the concerns raised by some staffers that the death was work-related, with spokesman Sam Stephenson telling NBC News in a statement that the incident “was related to a personal medical condition.” Stephenson said Amazon had conducted an internal investigation during which a fellow employee said that the worker who died had reported experiencing chest pains the evening before his shift but didn’t alert colleagues or managers at the warehouse. The comments come after more than a week of growing frustration among facility employees, some of whom have criticized the company’s response. The worker’s name was Rafael Reynaldo Mota Frias, 42.
Son was on job when paving business owner had fatal accident in Henderson; remembers him as loving dad
CARTHAGE, NY — Matthew F. Bondellio Jr. sat at a restaurant in Clayton on Friday eating shrimp and cheese curds with his dad after a long day of work, not knowing that the moment would forever be a symbol of how far their relationship had come, and how soon it would be taken away. Matthew Bondellio Sr., 55, went to work with his son and another crew member the next day. He had owned North Country Paving for roughly a dozen years. On Saturday, July 16, crew members backed a Ford pickup truck and trailer into the driveway and began working their way out. The truck slowly moved toward the road with a tank of sealing spray on the trailer — Mr. Bondellio Sr. following it with a hose spraying the driveway. His 25-year-old son held the excess hose so it didn’t get caught under his feet, effectively having his back like he always did on jobs. The brakes on the truck, however, began to fail as they were heading up a steep portion of the driveway. With too much momentum, the truck rolled backward and struck Mr. Bondellio Sr. — his son seeing it all from just a few feet away. “I screamed ‘Dad, Dad, Dad,'” Mr. Bondellio Jr. said. “I got his attention. I just didn’t get it in time.” Mr. Bondellio Sr. was alive for 15 or 20 minutes after the crash.
Worker shot and killed at drive-thru window at Original Maxwell Street on West Side
CHICAGO, IL — The Original Maxwell Street hot dog stand is a staple on the city’s West Side – but overnight, an employee was shot and killed on the job. As CBS 2’s Charlie De Mar reported Friday, it is believed Jose Adalid Celis Gonzalez – who worked at the Original Maxwell Street at 3801 W. Harrison St. – got into some kind of quarrel with someone earlier in the night. That person returned to the restaurant and shot the employee. Maxwell’s is known for its Polish sausage, hot dogs, hamburgers, pork chops, and fresh cut fries and is open 24 hours a day. Chicago Police say it was around 3 a.m. when the employee working beyond the service window was shot in the face. He later died at a nearby hospital. The shooter got away. The restaurant is located along the Eisenhower Expressway. “They can’t climb through the glass and get the money, so what was the purpose – unless there was a personal vendetta?” Peters said. Chicago Police Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan says the shooting may have stemmed from an argument earlier in the night.
One Police Officer Killed, Another Wounded in Rochester, N.Y., Shooting
ROCHESTER, N.Y — A 21-year-old man opened fire on an unmarked police car in Rochester, N.Y., Thursday night, the authorities said, killing one officer and wounding another in what the city’s police chief described as an ambush. The shooting, which occurred north of the city’s downtown at around 9:15 p.m., was the first time in eight years that a city officer had been slain while on duty. Investigators said a gunman approached the officers’ vehicle from behind and fired about 17 rounds while “cowardly secreting himself behind large shrubs,” according to Captain Frank Umbrino, commanding officer of the department’s major crimes unit. It was unclear if the officers were targeted: They were in plainclothes and in an unmarked vehicle for a separate murder investigation, the police said. The authorities identified the slain officer as Anthony Mazurkiewicz, a 29-year veteran of the department. He was sitting in the driver’s seat and struck twice in his upper body. A second officer, Sino Seng, who had been with the department for eight years, was shot in the lower body and later released after receiving treatment at a hospital, the police said.
Truck Driver Killed in Fiery Crash off I-80 in Pocono Township, PA
Pocono Township, PA — July 21, 2022, a truck driver died after their big rig left Interstate 80 and crashed into the woods in Pocono Township. According to reports the incident happened Thursday night along I-80 near mile marker 294.2. Preliminary investigation suggests only that the tractor-trailer was headed west on the highway when the driver lost control for unknown reasons. The truck swerved off the road into the nearby woods and caught fire. The truck driver suffered fatal injuries in the accident. The investigation is ongoing. No further information is currently available.
Worker killed after falling down smokestack at SC shipyard
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – A man was killed after falling to the bottom of a ship’s smokestack while working near Detyens Shipyard over the weekend. Officers with the North Charleston Police Department (NCPD) were dispatched to a reported industrial accident off Dry Dock Avenue on Sunday. According to a report from NCPD, a co-worker – who was with the victim at the time – told police that they were working on the exterior side of the smokestack when the man “entered it and stood on a small platform.” The co-worker said the victim was not harnessed and the platform “gave way,” causing the worker to fall approximately 63-100 feet down to the bottom of the smokestack. The report states that crew members lost sight of the victim after he fell, but they attempted to maintain audible contact with him until he stopped responding. EMS and Fire crews arrived and were able to locate the victim. They said he died at the scene. Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O’Neal later identified the victim as 63-year-old Claudio Munoz Bustos from Mexico.
Worker killed in fall onto stake
PALMYRA, WI — A construction worker has died as a result of a fall onto a metal stake at a worksite in Palmya. According to Village of Palmyra Director of Public Safety James Small, the incident occurred on Wednesday at approximately 11:30 a.m. Small reported that, at 11:37 a.m., the Palmyra Public Safety Department was dispatched to a 911 call reporting an accident on a construction site in the 100 Block of Violet St. “The caller reported that a worker had fallen from a scaffold onto a metal stake,” Small said. “Upon arrival at 11:42 a.m., public safety officers found the worker stuck on the metal stake. The worker was pulseless and not breathing. The metal stake was cut and lifesaving measures were attempted.” The worker was pronounced dead at the scene by the Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Plummet down elevator shaft kills construction worker at Florida home
Walton County, FL — A construction worker died after falling down an elevator shaft of a home in Walton County, Florida, deputies say. Street View image from Sept. 2019. © 2022 Google A man working at a west Florida construction site was killed when he tumbled down an elevator shaft, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators say deputies were alerted by a 911 caller who reported “an accident at a construction site” on Wednesday, July 20, in the 8000 block of County Highway 30A. The area is about 60 miles east of Pensacola, on the Florida Panhandle. “When deputies arrived at the home under construction they discovered a male had fallen down an elevator shaft,” the sheriff’s office said. “Life-saving measures were unsuccessful and the male was pronounced deceased at the scene.” The man was working on the third floor of a four-story home at the time, officials said.
Berrien County Road Department employee killed by man driving under the influence
BUCHANAN, Mich. — William “Mack” Isom, a nearly 25-year employee of the Berrien County Road Department, was working to clear a tree on Red Bud Trail when he was struck by a Buchanan man driving under the influence. According to investigators, 34-year old Taylor Johnson of Buchanan was driving southbound on Red Bud Trail at a high speed. He was arrested and is currently charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. The incident is still under investigation, but according to Berrien County Administrator Brian Dissette, Isom followed all proper safety procedures. “At the accident reconstruction, the safety cones were found and his vehicle was parked in the proper location,” said Dissette. “He was struck needlessly by someone who was driving at a high rate of speed in a zone that was well marked.”
Mayor dies in crash while working as driving instructor, officials say
BREMER COUNTY, Iowa – A mayor in Iowa died in a crash earlier this week while working as a driving instructor. KCRG reports the crash involved Fairbank Mayor Gregory (Mike) Harter, 71, along with two 14-year-old students in a driver’s education vehicle and a 44-year-old driver of a Toyota Highlander. Authorities reported that Harter and the students were in a 2014 Chevy Impala when it drove onto the shoulder of the road. The vehicle then overcorrected and crossed over the median into oncoming traffic before being struck by the 2010 Toyota. According to officials, the teens and the Toyota driver were injured in the crash, while Harter died.
Edmond police officer killed in crash
EDMOND, Okla. — An Edmond police officer is dead after a crash involving multiple vehicles in Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Emergency crews responded to the five-car crash on Broadway Extension near Comfort Drive. Oklahoma City police say a utility truck crashed into a group of vehicles stopped at a red light, including a motorcycle driven by 38-year-old Edmond Police Sgt. C.J. Nelson.
IDOT employee dies after crash in Murphysboro, Illinois
JACKSON COUNTY, IL — An Illinois Department of Transportation employee has died after he was involved in a crash in Murphysboro Wednesday morning, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office says. The crash happened around 10:49 a.m. Wednesday at the intersection of Highway 127 and Ava Road in Murphysboro, the sheriff’s office says. A passerby who happened upon the crash site stopped and performed CPR on the IDOT employee, identified as Edward Stallman, the sheriff’s office says. Stallman was unresponsive when deputies arrived at the scene. Stallman was taken to St. Joseph’s Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Worker Killed Before ‘Law & Order’ Shoot While Reserving Parking
New York, NY — A man working on a Law & Order set in New York City was fatally shot in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The man, Johnny Pizarro II was a member of the Communications Workers of America, had been working to reserve parking spots for the series shoot in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, police told ABC 7 News. He was sitting in a car with an orange cone on top of it at around 5:15 a.m. EST when the gunman approached him, opened the car door, and opened fire several times. While overall crime rates are on the rise in New York City, NYPD statistics indicate that gun violence is decreasing. In May, the city saw 118 shootings, down over 30 percent from the amount reported in May 2021. A little over 2,000 gun arrests have been made in the city this year, with over 3,000 firearms being seized. The unnamed victim was struck in the face and neck. He was transported to nearby Woodhull Hospital, where he was ultimately pronounced dead.
Worker killed in Harper County oil field explosion
Attica, KS — A Bushton, Kansas man was killed Tuesday while he was working on an oil well. The incident happened at 12:30, seven miles north of Attica. The Harper County Sheriff said two men were welding at an oil well site when investigators believe some type of gas buildup exploded. Charles Weber, 57, was pronounced dead. A medical helicopter flew a 27-year-old man to Ascension Via Christi St. Francis burn unit in Wichita for treatment. His condition has not been released.