How workers died last week: Five workers killed in separate building collapses, workers crushed to death, falls, vehicle incidents, shootings, 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.
Construction worker dies in partial collapse of Brooklyn building violating a stop-work order
Brooklyn, NY — A construction worker was reportedly killed following a building collapse in Brooklyn on Friday afternoon. FDNY confirmed in a press conference that three people were working in the basement of the building when the first floor collapsed in a “V” shape into the cellar area, pinning one of the workers. Fire Department personnel pulled the victim from the rubble after digging through the unfinished dirt basement floor. The victim, Juan Ganche, was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no other reported injuries or structural damage to the surrounding buildings. At this time, it is not clear what caused the floor to collapse. According to DOB Commissioner Jimmy Oddo, DOB tried to access the building in December after complaints were made about the construction. After returning on Jan. 4, DOB saw excavation being done and issued a stop-work order. “The only work that should have been done at this site is to make the site safe,” said Oddo. “As you can see, that stop-work order was violated.
Dump truck driver killed at waste facility
LAKE COUNTY, Ohio (WJW) — Deputies used CPR to try to save the life of a dump truck driver at the Lake County Solid Waste Facility in Painesville Township Thursday, but the 56-year-old man “succumbed to his injuries,” according to the sheriff’s department. Deputies said the man got out of the dump truck to offload a container of garbage when a gust of wind caused dirt and debris to blow toward the truck “which caused the operator to run from the driver side toward the passenger side of his truck for cover and at the same time another dump truck, with a roll style container, was backing up in the area adjacent to the passenger side of the victim’s truck,” according to Lake County Sheriff John Kelley. That’s when the victim was struck by the reversing truck “as it continued to back up before the driver was stopped,” Kelley wrote in a press release Friday. Kelley added that “all evidence suggests that this was a tragic accident.”
Idaho coroner releases names of the 3 men who were killed when a Boise aircraft hangar collapsed
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The names of three Idaho men killed when an airport hangar under construction in Boise collapsed were released by the Ada County Coroner on Friday. Mariano Coc Och, 24 and Mario Sontay Tzi, 32, both of Nampa, were pronounced dead at the scene along with Craig Durrant, 59, of Boise. Nine other people were hurt in the Wednesday evening collapse, including five who were taken to area hospitals with critical injuries, Fire Department Operations Chief Aaron Hummel said later that night. Officials have not released the names or the current condition of the injured victims. The hangar is privately owned by Jackson Jet Center, a charter flight and maintenance company, and it was being built at the Boise Airport. The collapse was reported about 5 p.m., and first responders had to stabilize the massive structure while trying to rescue those who were trapped inside and underneath it. Steel girders and panels were bent, and a large crane was folded in the wreckage. The Ada County Coroner’s office was called to the scene a little over two hours later. All of the men died of traumatic blunt force injuries, according to a news release from the coroner’s office. It’s not yet clear what caused the prefabricated steel building to collapse, and investigators with the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration are working to determine exactly what happened. The investigation is expected to take several months.
Construction worker dies at Jersey City site, OSHA investigating
Jersey City, NJ — A 40-year-old man died Friday morning after falling four stories at a construction site in Jersey City, officials say. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the fatal accident that occurred on 859 Communipaw Ave. at approximately 10:44 a.m. The employee was working for Mac Construction LLC based in Newark, which currently has another open OSHA case under investigation.
Norfolk Southern Locomotive Engineer killed on the job in Decatur Alabama
Decatur, AL — A Norfolk Southern engineer was killed Wednesday in an incident currently under investigation. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the incident happened at about 4:15 p.m. Wednesday in a Decatur railyard. The locomotive the engineer was in was struck by freight cars. The incident is still under investigation. Three NTSB investigators arrived at the accident site Thursday and are expected to be on scene for up to a week. Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chunn identified the engineer as Chris M. Wilson, 55, of Muscle Shoals. Wilson died at Huntsville Hospital.
WORKER DIES AT LAKEWOOD, NJ RECYCLING FACILITY
LAKEWOOD, NJ — One person died following an incident at the Ocean County Northern Recycling Center Wednesday morning. Lakewood police Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith said officers responded around 10:15 a.m. to the facility on Towbin Avenue in Lakewood to a report that an employee died while working around a large dumpster. The identity of the worker was not disclosed. Timmothy Hannold on Wednesday was among several workers tasked with moving a dumpster that had just been delivered to the center, police said. At some point during the process, 50-year-old Hannold, a resident of West Creek in Eagleswood Township, climbed inside the container — a move his fellow workers did not notice. OSHA referred an inquiry about an investigation to the New Jersey Department of Health’s Public Employees Occupational Safety and Health (PEOSH) office.
Family mourns loss of teen killed in shooting: ‘He was a bright light in this world’
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A family is left to mourn the loss of their loved one, 19-year-old Caden Martin of Dunbar, after he was killed in a shooting Tuesday night in North Charleston. His grandmothers described him as a a light in this world and someone who always made everyone smile. “Its senseless. It should never have happened,” his maternal grandmother Sandi Cedeño said. Charleston Police said Martin was shot and killed while he was at work at a tobacco shop, leaving a family grieving and wanting answers. “We can’t bring him back. We just want justice for Caden, Cedeño said. His paternal grandmother, Jill Martin said “He was a bright light in this world.” Charleston Police say they responded to an armed robbery call at Tobacco and Pipe when they found Caden dead behind the counter with multiple gunshot wounds. Police say after hours of searching they found and arrested the suspect, a 14-year-old, who has been charged with first degree murder and robbery.
Dayton man killed in industrial accident in Nederland
Nederland, TX — A 27-year-old Dayton man, Franklyn Aguiar, fell to his death just before 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, while working at the Sunoco plant in Nederland, Texas. Aguiar was working for a contractor for the Energy Transfer tank storage facility inside the Sunoco plant. Aguiar suffered traumatic head wounds when he fell an estimated 20 feet or more from scaffolding, according to Jefferson County Pct. 7 Justice of the Peace Brad Burnett, who performed an inquest at the scene. Judge Burnett also ordered an autopsy to determine if there were any other factors involved in the accident. Aguilar’s body was taken to the Jefferson County Forensics Center for the autopsy. According to Burnett, Aguiar’s brother and father also worked for the contractor and were present when Aguiar fell from the scaffolding. Burnett said Aguiar was doing pipefitting and welding work.
Man who died in Upstate workplace accident has been identified
Spartanburg County, SC– An investigation is underway after a death at an Upstate business. The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported death at Insul-Fab Plastics on Hayne Street, Thursday afternoon. In a statement the plant manager said the accident occurred around noon on a fabricating piece of equipment. The Spartanburg County Coroner’s office identified the victim as 40-year-old Torrence Casey McSwain of Jonesville. OSHA is investigating the fatal accident.
Corvallis farm worker dies after being pinned against wall by equipment
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A farm worker lost his life during an accident in Corvallis Thursday, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office announced. The 56-year-old David Breyman III, of Dallas, had gotten pinned against a wall during an incident in which he was attempting to unload a truck carrying 27 tons of corn meal feed by himself at a dairy farm south of Corvallis, officials said. Deputies and the Corvallis Fire Department responded around 2:45 p.m., finding Breymann unconscious, without a pulse, and not breathing. Lifesaving efforts were attempted by deputies and good samaritans but were unsuccessful. Investigators believe the trailer’s unloading mechanism gate swung open from the feed pushing behind it and pinned Breyman against the barn wall. A farm worker used the phone to call for help after hearing the yell of Breyman, who was working for a trucking and feed company out of Polk County. The individual shut off the trailer unloading mechanism, stopping more feed from piling up.
Worker killed, another in critical condition after crash on North Murrow Boulevard in Greensboro
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — A worker has died and another is in critical condition after a vehicle hit them while they were doing their job. Greensboro police say, at 9:51 a.m. on Monday, they responded to a crash on North Murrow Boulevard that involved two pedestrians. Randolph Norman Westenfelder, 51, of Pilot Mountain, and David B. Peterson, 30, of Burlington, were attempting to set up lane closure signs on North Murrow Boulevard when they were hit by a vehicle. Police say they were wearing high-visibility clothing. The vehicle also struck a large arrow board directing traffic to merge left and a work truck. Westenfelder died of his injuries. Peterson is in critical condition. Police say charges are pending against the driver, who was a 20-year-old from Charlotte. The two victims were identified as employees of Flagger Force.
Man who died in Tynan grain elevator collapse identified
Tyan, TX — The Bee County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that one person has died as a result of the collapse of the grain elevator. Emergency crews are at the scene of a grain elevator collapse in Tynan in Bee County Tuesday evening. The man who died in the collapse of a grain elevator in Tynan was Sergio “Jason” Alberto Alvarez, his sister-in-law confirmed with KRIS 6 News on Wednesday. His sister-in-law Brandi Villarreal added Alvarez just celebrated his 37th birthday on July 3.
Lawrenceville bakery owner gunned down at his own store
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Police are working to track down the person who shot and killed the owner of a popular Lawrenceville bakery on Saturday morning. The shooting happened at Fejzic Bakery located off Scenic Highway around 7 a.m. The owner, 37-year-old Ervin Fejzic, was found shot in the parking lot. Medics attempted to revive him, but he died at the scene.
26-year-old bar worker is shot to death while trying to break up fight
Crystal River, FL — A Norton’s Riverside Bar and Grill employee was shot and killed in the parking lot after he tried to break up a fight between patrons, a Florida sheriff’s office said. Around 1 a.m. on Feb. 2, two patrons inside Norton’s Riverside Bar and Grill in Crystal River got into an argument, according to a news release from the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. The two patrons, including 24-year-old Gabrial Hugh Trainor, took the fight from inside the bar to the outside patio and continued to argue, deputies said. Employee Edward James Bennis, 26, stepped in and “verbally attempted to stop the argument,” the sheriff’s office said. Trainor left the patio and walked to his car, deputies said, and Bennis followed him a few minutes later. Bennis and Trainor started arguing again when Trainor pulled out a handgun, the sheriff’s office said.
Trooper Zachary Fink latest law enforcement officer killed in line of duty
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Zachary Fink is the latest law enforcement officer to die in the line of duty on the Treasure Coast. Fink, 26, died early Friday while pursuing a white Kia northbound on Interstate 95. The driver had entered the southbound lanes and begun traveling the wrong way on the highway. Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) released the name of the semi-truck driver killed along with FHP Trooper Zachary Fink on Friday, February 2, 2024, as Arsenio Mas, a 55-year-old white male from Homestead, Florida.
HOME DEPOT WORKER DIES IN CRASH AT STORE IN OLD BRIDGE, NJ
OLD BRIDGE, NJ — A long-time Home Depot employee died in an unusual crash at his store Thursday morning. Police Capt. Michael Snee said that Allen Szucs, 55, from the Kendall Park section of South Brunswick, died after his Chevrolet Malibu collided with a tractor-trailer at a loading dock at the store on Route 9. Video shows the car became wedged under the truck. Szucs was pronounced dead at the scene and was the only person in the car. The circumstances of the incident were not disclosed by Snee.
Georgia worker killed when tree falls on him at construction site
Bonaire, GA — A Georgia man was killed Tuesday morning when a tree fell on him at a construction site, according to WGXA. The accident happened on Highway 247 in Bonaire, which is in central Georgia. The victim was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He’s been identified by the coroner as Selso Sanchez, according to WGXA. It’s unclear why the tree fell or what the workers were doing when the accident happened.
Wawa worker dies after gas station hit-and-run involving teen driver
Old Bridge, NJ — A 17-year-old driver has been charged with a hit-and-run crash last month that led to the death of a Wawa gas attendant in Old Bridge weeks later, officials said. The teen hit the attendant with a pickup on Dec. 4 after during a dispute at the gas station and then fled from the business on Route 34, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said Tuesday. The attendant, Andrew Padulano, 61, of Old Bridge, died Jan. 23, authorities said. Old Bridge police were called to the Wawa at 7:41 a.m. on Dec. 4 and found Padulano with serious injuries. He was taken to Raritan Bay Medical Center in Old Bridge and later transferred to Jersey Shore Regional Medical Center.
Business temporarily closed in Darke Co. after worker dies due to medical emergency
ARCANUM, OH — A woman is dead after she suffered a medical emergency inside a Darke County business early Sunday morning. An Arcanum police officer was conducting a regular business check and observed a tan/brown Chevy pickup truck parked at the 100 block of E South Street at Arcanum Quick Stop, the department said on social media. The officer found a woman lying on the floor inside the gas station and forced entry inside to aid her. Arcanum rescue was also called to the scene. Despite best efforts, the victim died from an unknown medical emergency. Jennifer Simason, 39, of Arcanum, has been identified as the person who died by the Darke County Coroner’s Office. She worked at the business.
Officer killed during pursuit in southeast South Dakota
FLANDREAU, S.D. (KFGO) – A law enforcement officer was killed during a pursuit in Moody County in southeastern South Dakota Friday. Attorney General Marty Jackley confirmed an officer died, but hasn’t released a name or what agency the officer was with. “Our hearts go out to the officer’s family and all those serving in the officer’s department,” Jackley said. “The State Division of Criminal Investigation, Highway Patrol, and local law enforcement agencies are cooperating to provide a complete and thorough investigation.”
Clayton truck driver killed in Highway 8 crash
Weyerhaeuser, WI — The driver of a semi truck was killed in a two-vehicle crash early Tuesday morning in Rusk County. The Rusk County Sheriff’s Department 911 Dispatch Center received a call at 3:30 a.m., Jan. 30, reporting a two-vehicle crash. The accident involved an SUV and a semi on US 8 at Olesiak Road, west of Weyerhaeuser. The sheriff’s department, Rusk County Ambulance Service, Weyerhaeuser First Responders, Weyerhaeuser Fire Department and Wisconsin State Patrol responded. A westbound Jeep driven by Jorge Sanchez-Tzanahua, 21, of Rice Lake, collided with an eastbound semi driven by Steven Nasholm, 35, of Clayton. Nasholm died as a result of his injuries sustained in the crash, according to a sheriff’s department press release.
Driver of huge haul truck identified from mining property crash
Pottstown, PA — The driver of a huge off-road haul truck died Monday when the vehicle rolled at a mining site near here in Mahanoy Twp., authorities said. Schuylkill County Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III identified the deceased as David Moyer, 63, of Schuylkill Haven. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:08 a.m. by Deputy Coroner David Truskowsky. Colleen Connolly, community relations coordinator for the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Northeast Regional Office, said in an email Monday evening that the accident involved a Kamatsu 785 haul truck that went “down an embankment on site” around 5 a.m. at Reading Anthracite’s Ellengowan Bank Operation. She said an order was issued to “cease operation in this area and to preserve the accident scene.” She said DEP is conducting an investigation with the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.
‘We lost our everything’: Sister of security guard killed on the job in triple shooting
MILWAUKEE, WI — A security guard was shot and killed while on the job in a triple shooting early Sunday morning. Investigators say 26-year-old Andre Gregory died on the sidewalk outside Eve Lounge near Fond du Lac and Baldwin in Milwaukee. Two 34-year-olds were also shot and injured, but are expected to survive. Gregory’s sister, Toneisha Beals, is devastated at the loss of her brother. “It was horrible. It’s horrible. That’s not how I wanted to see my big brother at all because he was doing his job,” Beals said. The owner of Eve Lounge, Thomas Holmes, said Gregory was working security at the nightclub early Sunday morning. Holmes said he and Gregory were trying to resolve a dispute in the parking lot when the shots rang out. “I guess he tried to grab the other guy, and all I heard after that was pop, pop, pop, pop, pop,” Holmes said.