How Workers Died Last Week: Bridge collapse, crushed by granite, chemical and pipe explosions, tree trimming, fire, electrocution, 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.
Who are the people presumed dead in the Baltimore bridge collapse?
Baltimore, MD — The six construction workers who were on the Key Bridge in Baltimore when it collapsed are presumed dead, authorities said Tuesday evening, ending a day-long rescue mission in cold and murky waters. The six victims, all employees of Brawner Builders, a general contractor, were repairing masonry and potholes on the bridge when a 985-foot freighter lost power and crashed into the structure, which rose 185 feet above the Patapsco River at its peak height. Among those presumed deceased are Miguel Luna, who had worked for the construction company for about 15 years, and Maynor Suazo Sandoval, from Honduras, who was about to turn 39, their families said. Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, from Mexico, Carlos Hernandez, Jose Mynor Lopez, 35 and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, from Guatemala, also died in the collapse, authorities said.
Tucson community mourns loss of police officer killed in line of duty
TUCSON, Ariz. — The Tucson Police Department held a news conference after an officer lost his life in a crash in midtown. TPD Police Chief Chad E. Kasmar was joined by Mayor Regina Romero during the news conference at the TPD headquarters. According to TPD, 31-years-old Adam Buckner was responding to a call Sunday night when he was involved in a crash near North Campbell Avenue and East 6th Street.
Construction worker killed while working at Redford school
REDFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (FOX 2 – A construction site accident killed a 21-year-old worker Wednesday morning in Redford Township. Police said the victim was working on a pressurized pipe at George H. Fisher Elementary School at 10000 Crosley when the pipe burst just before 9:30 a.m., killing him. The victim’s parents have been notified, and an investigation is ongoing.
Man killed in industrial accident when granite falls on him, officials say
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF/Gray News) – A man was killed when granite fell on him in an industrial accident on Wednesday morning in Alabama, officials said. According to Don Webster with Huntsville Emergency Medical Services Inc. (HEMSI), the accident happened at Huntsville Granite and Marble LLC. The Madison County coroner identified the man who was killed as 32-year-old John Hopper.
Construction worker dies in crash after teen falls asleep at wheel, authorities say
KAY COUNTY, Okla. (KWCH/Gray News) – Authorities in Oklahoma confirmed an investigation continues after a teenage driver who allegedly fell asleep at the wheel hit three construction workers, killing one, KWCH reports. The deadly collision happened a little after 8 a.m. Monday on southbound Interstate 35 near Tonkawa, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Three employees of Wildcat Construction out of Wichita, Kansas, were working off the roadway on the bridge embankment when a 2014 Dodge Avenger left the road and hit them. One of the construction workers, 19-year-old Jacob Matuszczak, “was killed instantly,” the highway patrol said. The other two workers involved in the incident were injured. The highway patrol says 19-year-old Alexis Batres was airlifted in critical condition to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. Wayne Thomas, 62, was also flown to Wesley, where he was treated for leg injuries and released.
Man Dies Working On Race Car In RivCo Workplace Incident
SAN JACINTO, CA — A worker at a San Jacinto fabrication business was killed Monday in a workplace incident involving a vehicle, according to Sgt. Deirdre Vickers of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. The fatality occurred at a fabrication company in the 200 block of Bissell Place, and the victim’s name has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin. Just after 12:15 p.m., Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department medics were called to the business on Bissell Place. Medics found that the patient had already succumbed to his injuries and died, according to Cal Fire spokesperson Rob Roseen.
Employee dies at DTMP
Lebanon MO — There was a death at the Detroit Tool Metal Products facility on Tuesday March 26th. At approximately, 10:30 a.m. EMS was called to DTMP on Bethel Road after receiving a call about a medical emergency. It was reported that an employee was found on the floor with a large coil of metal on top of them. Lebanon Fire Department, Police Department, and Mercy Ambulance all responded to the scene, and the employee, identified as 49 year old Jeremiah Beckley of Lebanon died at the scene. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is currently investigating the accident.
Man dies after being reportedly run over by machinery at new landfill in Pickens Co.
PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – The Pickens County Coroner’s Office said officials are investigating following an incident at a new landfill in Pickens County that killed one person. Officials said the incident happened around 10:00 a.m. on March 25 at a new privately-owned landfill being developed at Greenville Highway and Quarry Road. According to officials, crews responded to the scene following reports that someone was run over by machinery. Officials stated that the person was airlifted to the hospital for treatment but later passed away from his injuries. The Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 49-year-old Ronald McCarson from Greer. The Coroner’s Office said they are investigating the situation with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA confirmed that there have been 28 workplace deaths reported so far this year.
N.C. fire captain dies from injuries following house fire
LEXINGTON, N.C. — A fire captain with the Lexington Fire Department has died following injuries he sustained in a house fire. Captain Ronnie Metcalf suffered burns to 60% of his body during the house fire on March 26. He died three days later, the Lexington Fire Department said. Firefighters began attacking the interior of the house. A few minutes later, an order was issued for crews to evacuate, but Metcalf was reported missing. Search teams went back inside and found Metcalf. Metcalf was treated by EMS at the scene for burn injuries and later airlifted to a hospital where he died. Metcalf was a husband and father who dedicated 30 years to serving as a firefighter. He served 19 years with the Lexington Fire Department.
‘HIS LAUGH WAS CONTAGIOUS’: FRIEND MOURNS THE LOSS OF 23-YEAR-OLD MAN KILLED IN TREE TRIMMING ACCIDENT
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Friends remember the life of a 23-year-old Tahlequah man who died in an accident last week while trimming trees. They said Dalton Stevens poured his heart into his work and loved ones. Dalton’s friends said he was a hard worker in the tree service and always put others before himself. It’s why they hope to honor who he was. It was a busy Friday as Travis Wyman and his crew worked to cut down trees in the front yard of a Tahlequah home. The cutting, cleaning and discarding of big branches were all part of Dalton Stevens’ day-to-day. Dalton was working on a property last week. He was in a bucket high above the ground with another tree trimmer taking down a Bradford Pear. Travis said something went wrong and Dalton was electrocuted by a power line.
Man severely injured in Finney County oil tank battery explosion dies at Wichita hospital
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – One of two men severely injured Wednesday in an oil tank battery explosion near Garden City died from his injuries at a Wichita hospital, the Finney County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. The sheriff’s office said the men, from Liberal, “had been working on an oil tank in the area when their work caused an explosion inside the tank.” Both men were airlifted to a Wichita hospital, the sheriff’s office said. The call of an industrial accident/explosion came out a little before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in the area south of Garden City. Finney County EMS, the Finney County Sheriff’s Office, Finney County Emergency Management, the Kansas Highway Patrol, the Holcomb Volunteer Fire Department, and the Holcomb Police Department responded to the call.
17-year-old fast food employee shot, killed in north Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – A teenage fast food employee was shot and killed inside a north Charlotte restaurant on Friday, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police. The call came in around 2 p.m. at the Jack in the Box on North Hoskins Road, located just off Brookshire Boulevard. According to police, a 17-year-old employee was shot and killed. He was waiting on a ride home when he was approached by two people, who then confronted him and shot him inside of the restaurant, officers say. The two suspects were covered up wearing dark clothing and masks.
Worker killed after crane strikes power lines in Catskill
Catskill, NY — A worker was killed after a crane struck power lines in Catskill. The incident happened at around 11:15 a.m. on Monday, investigators said. A private contractor was pulling out tree stumps on private property at 12 Greene St. off Lower Main Street. The crane inadvertently hit the power lines. One of the workers on the ground, Branden Luciano, 36, of Germantown, came in contact with the hook of the crane and was electrocuted, Catskill Police Lt. Daniel Waer said. The driver who was operating the crane got out of the vehicle and was not hurt, Waer said. The tires of the crane caught on fire. Central Hudson cut the power. The Catskill Fire Department responded. The Catskill Police Department, OSHA, and the state Department of Labor are investigating.
DeKalb County Sheriff’s deputy killed in the line of duty
WATERMAN, Ill. (WIFR) – A five-year veteran of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office died following a crash Thursday night in Waterman. Investigators say Deputy Christina Musil, 35, was killed in the line of duty after her Ford Explorer squad was hit from behind. According to Illinois State Police, the crash happened around 10:40 p.m. March 28, on Illinois Route 23 south of Perry Road. Troopers said Musil was parked on the right shoulder when a Kenworth truck ran off the road and hit the squad. She was taken to a local hospital where she died from her injuries. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office said Musil served in the Corrections and Patrol divisions. She also served in the Army National Guard as a military police officer for four years and served in Afghanistan from 2008-2009.
Worker fatally stabbed in NYC bar was ‘sweet, innocent’ Irish beauty whose beau killed her: police sources
Queens, NY — The bar worker fatally stabbedfred in an Irish pub in Queens over the weekend was a “sweet, innocent girl” from Ireland whose boyfriend attacked her, police sources and witnesses told The Post on Sunday. Sarah McNally, 41, who lived in Glendale, died on the floor of the Ceili House pub on Grand Avenue in Maspeth after the 6:30 p.m. assault left her bleeding from stab wounds to her neck, police sources said. It’s not clear what sparked the slaying. But sources said McNally’s boyfriend — with whom she’d been living for several months — barged in, knifed her, then tried to leave the hole-in-the-wall bar, whose Gaelic name means social gathering.
Suspect charged with murder in deadly stabbing attacks
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR/Gray News) – Police have charged a man accused of killing four people and injuring seven others during a violent stabbing spree in a residential area of Rockford, Illinois Wednesday. According to the Associated Press, 22-year-old Christian Soto has been charged with first-degree murder as well as attempted murder and home invasion in connection to the 20-minute crime spree. Rockford police identified those who were killed in the attacks as 63-year-old Ramona Schupbach, 23-year-old Jacob Schupbah, 49-year-old Jay Larson and 15-year-old Jenna Newcomb. Jay Larson was a 25-year veteran of the United States Postal Service, according to Ruth Mendoza, the Inspector in Charge for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service-Chicago. She reported he died while on the job, delivering mail to the neighborhood.
NYPD officer shot, killed during traffic stop leaves behind wife and baby
NEW YORK (WPIX) – The NYPD is mourning the loss of one of their own after Officer Jonathan Diller was shot and killed in Far Rockaway, Queens on Monday. Diller, 31, was a husband and a father to a young child. His death is described as a senseless act of violence, and Mayor Eric Adams called him a hero. “He put himself in harm’s way. He went towards the danger, all to keep the people we serve safe and to protect his fellow New Yorkers,” NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said. Even after Diller was shot in the stomach, he still tried to disarm the shooter, according to authorities. “The gun hit the ground; and as the perpetrator was still reaching for it, this cop was able to grab it, although he was still shot,” said NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.
Snyder County man killed in logging accident
SNYDER COUNTY, Pa. — A man is dead after a logging accident in Snyder County. State police responded to a wooded area near Smalsh Barrick in Jackson Township near Winfield around 3 p.m. on March 20. When they arrived, troopers say they found the body of 58-year-old Michael Hibbs of Middleburg. Investigators say Hibbs died as a result of a logging accident.
Mississippi truck driver killed in I-59/20 crash that shut down the interstate for hours
Jefferson County, AL — A Mississippi truck driver was killed when his 18-wheeler was hit by a pickup truck on Interstate 59/20 in western Jefferson County. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Jamaiyia Geivoca Foote. He was 30 and lived in Macon, Miss. The wreck happened at 2 p.m. Friday on I-59/20 southbound at the Allison-Bonnett Memorial Drive exit. Authorities said Foote was the driver of an 18-wheeler that was struck by a pickup truck that crossed the media
n and veered into Foote’s lane of traffic. Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey said Foote was driving a Peterbilt tractor-trailer that collided head-on with a GMC Sierra driven by Rafael-Andablo, 49, of Harlingen, Texas.
Semi-truck driver killed in crash near Stanislaus-Merced county line
Modesto, CA — A semi-truck driver was killed in a solo-vehicle crash on Friday night near the Stanislaus-Merced county line, according to the California Highway Patrol. The man was identified as Gurbir Singh, a 48-year-old Manteca resident. Singh was driving a Freightliner tractor with a trailer north on Interstate 5, north of Highway 140, at the time of the crash, which was just before 8:30 p.m. At some point, he veered to the right, entered the east shoulder and then crashed down a dirt embankment, a CHP release stated. The truck crashed into a barbed wire fence and sustained “major collision damage.” Singh was pronounced dead at the scene.