How workers died last week. Fumes from pig barn, tree service, crushed under a steam roller, falls, forklift, fire fighting, 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. P.S: Not a good week to be working in Texas.
Worker dies after exposure to fumes at Galt-area pig barn
Galt, MO — A tragic incident occurred on December 9 at a farm northwest of Galt, where a man lost his life in a work-related accident. Grundy County Sheriff Rodney Herring reported that the individual was pumping out manure at a pig barn when he was overcome by fumes and became unresponsive. Despite efforts to revive him, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The farm where the accident occurred belongs to Scott Betz. Sheriff Herring noted that no one else was injured in the incident, and no criminal charges have been filed. While the sheriff’s office did not release the name of the deceased, an obituary from the Ruschmeier-Smith Funeral Home of Milan identified the man as Jjesti Jossue Sanchez-Lara. The obituary confirmed that Sanchez-Lara died as a result of a work accident on December 9.
Florida construction worker killed by large steam roller, police say
Palm Bay, Florida — A 62-year-old man was killed at a construction site in Palm Bay, Florida, after he became pinned between a large steam roller, according to the Palm Bay Police Department. Police identified the construction worker as Noel Soleyn, of Fort Pierce. He was working as a contractor for Timothy Rose Construction, police said in a statement. Authorities said the accident happened around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at a construction site on Satinwood Court NE. A roller machine reversed towards Soleyn, who became pinned. A white sheet covered the victim’s body as a nearby resident and witness to the incident, Magdalena Gratia, said a prayer. “I heard screaming, and I didn’t know what was going on. I looked across the street, and I saw the man pulling this other man from underneath there,” Gratia explained as she gestured toward the steam roller.
Hemet Worker Killed by DUI Suspect
Hemet, CA — A Hemet Department of Public Works employee who was killed while sitting in a parked municipal vehicle that was struck by a suspected drunken driver was publicly identified Friday. A coroner’s report published Friday identified the worker as 40-year-old Derek Holt, a Hemet resident. Holt was parked just west of the intersection of Acacia Avenue and Kirby Street when the collision occurred shortly before 8 a.m., according to the Hemet Police Department.
USPS employee shot to death, coworker taken into custody at Missouri City facility
MISSOURI CITY, Texas — A USPS employee shot and killed a coworker at a Missouri City processing facility Monday night, according to police. Police said employees were evacuated from the USPS regional processing facility, located on Highway 90 East, around 10 p.m. Monday night. Employees were reportedly told to run after an active shooter fired shots inside the facility. Missouri City police identified the suspect as 24-year-old Derrick Lott. The victim has been identified as 35-year-old Kevin J. Hines.
Man Dies in Fall From Roof at Camp Tejas
LaGrange, TX — A construction worker at Camp Tejas died in a fall on Tuesday, Nov. 26.Lee County Sheriff Garrett Durrenberger reports his office received a call around 9:36 a.m. about a workplace accident at Camp Tejas, which is located along a private road off US 77 between Giddings and La Grange. The caller reported the worker had fallen from a roof and was unresponsive.
Man killed in forklift accident at lumber yard
Decatur, TX — A Boyd man was killed in a forklift accident at a lumber yard in Decatur Tuesday afternoon. The driver of the forklift, Boyd resident Charles Teague, 49, was pronounced dead at the scene by Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Jan Morrow. According to Decatur Police Department, Teague was operating a three-wheeled forklift at Henson Lumber when it tipped over and fell on top of him. First responders were dispatched to the accident shortly after 12:50 p.m. “We don’t know at this point what exactly caused the forklift to overturn, but he didn’t have a load or any lumber on the forklift at the time,” Decatur Police Chief Delvon Cambell said. “This appears to be a tragic accident.”
Tree service worker falls to death in northeast Tallahassee
Tallahassee, FL — An employee of a tree service died when he fell from a tree in the front yard of a northeast Tallahassee home, police said Wednesday. A police spokesman was unable to identify the victim or his employer but confirmed the death, which happened Tuesday afternoon, was accidental. The case is still considered open and active, however. The incident happened on Tipperary Drive in the city’s Killearn Estates neighborhood, police said.
1 killed, 2 injured after concrete truck flies off of overpass on Beltway 8
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A concrete truck flew off of a Beltway 8 overpass during rush hour Tuesday morning and crashed onto the busy roadway below. The driver of the concrete truck was killed, and two people were injured. Pct. 4 Constables Office Captain Michael James said five vehicles were involved in the incident. James said just before 9 a.m., the concrete truck and a meal delivery truck first collided on the Sam Houston Tollway before the truck flew over the barrier wall. The meal delivery truck driver was initially said to be in life-threatening condition. Tuesday afternoon, James said his condition had been upgraded, and he was expected to survive. A woman driving a Toyota Camry was also sent to the hospital after a large metal camera pole fell onto her vehicle. James said the concrete truck knocked it down.
‘Terrible, tragic accident’: SAPD officer dies after accidental discharge of service pistol
San Antonio, TX — A San Antonio police officer has died after his service pistol accidentally discharged, according to Chief William McManus. Officer William Kasberg was preparing to enter a state-mandated ALERRT training and was gathering his items when his weapon accidentally went off, striking him, according to SAPD. During a news conference Tuesday afternoon, McManus called it a “terrible, terrible tragic accident.” A fellow officer heading to the training heard the gunshot and investigated. He found the officer lying on his back with a gunshot wound. Kasberg was later pronounced dead after being transported to the hospital, according to McManus. No one else was injured.
Blake C. Smith Killed in Truck Accident on Interstate 35 near Goldsby, OK
Goldsby, OK — Blake C. Smith was killed in a truck accident at about 9 p.m. on Interstate 35. Authorities said Blake C. Smith, 20, was driving an Amazon delivery truck that crashed into the back of a Freightliner truck as congestion slowed traffic headed north toward Oklahoma City. The Amazon truck reportedly caught on fire after it became lodged under the bigger truck near mile marker 103. Blake C. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene after sustaining severe injuries in the McClain County crash, according to authorities. The Freightliner driver was not injured.
Winchester firefighter dies while battling house fire in Randolph County
RANDOLPH COUNTY, Ind. — The city of Winchester is mourning the loss of one of its firefighters who died while battling a house fire Thursday. On Dec. 12, the Winchester Fire Department was called to a house near Watson and Brown streets on a report of the fire. When crews arrived on scene, they found an aggressive fire that was growing rapidly. One crew on scene made an “aggressive offensive attack” on the fire, including Rick Sanders. During the attack, Sanders began to feel ill and left the home to get medical attention. Just after he was moved into an ambulance, Sanders went into cardiac arrest and was taken to a local hospital, where he died.
Worker killed in accident at construction site in Murray Hill
MURRAY HILL, New York — A worker was killed in an accident at a construction site in Murray Hill on Friday morning. It happened on East 35th Street between Madison and Park avenues around 9:15 a.m. Authorities say the worker was going up on a cherry picker when he hit his head on a beam. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A second worker in the basket was also injured and treated. The victim’s identity has not yet been released. The Department of Buildings previously took action at the site in October. There were also two separate 311 complaints from the public of shaking, excessive dust, and missing netting. The DOB was unable to verify those claims.
Louisiana State Police identify garbage truck worker killed in crash
COVINGTON, La. — An Amite man was killed in a crash involving a garbage truck Friday morning. According to Louisiana State Police, a worker on the back of a garbage truck was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Lee Road in Covington. That worker was identified as Benjamin Bonura, 26, of Amite. The crash was first reported around shortly after 6 a.m. when a driver ran into the back of the garbage truck, pinning the worker between the vehicle and the truck. Bonura died after being taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the garbage truck was not injured. The other driver sustained moderate injuries and was taken to the hospital. Troopers say Bonura was a sanitation hopper on the back of a 2020 International garbage truck when a 2024 Hyundai Elantra struck into the back of the truck. The car also struck Bonura.
Lee County electrician electrocuted while working
ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – An electrician has died after being electrocuted while on the job on Friday, Dec. 13. According to Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler, 64-year-old David Michael Pressley, of Lee County, was electrocuted when he reportedly tested an electric wire and the wire was hot.
Man, 46, Killed in Port Neches Equipment Accident at 906 Main Street
Port Neches, Texas — A man is dead following a fatal industrial accident at a shipyard in Port Neches Saturday morning, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The heavy equipment accident happened at about 8:25 a.m. at the Sterling Shipyard located at 906 Main Street. The man has been identified as Ricki Bernard Slone Jr., 46, of Port Arthur. An autopsy has been ordered by Justice of the Peace Ben Collins to determine the cause of the man’s death. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending next of kin notification.
1 Killed in Truck Accident Near Miguel Bustamante Parkway in Colton, CA
Colton, CA — December 5, 2024, one person was killed in a truck accident about 7 p.m. in a parking lot off Miguel Bustamante Parkway. Authorities said a man was run over by a semi-truck in the parking lot of a warehouse in the 2000 block of Miguel Bustamante Parkway. The man, a 51-year-old Indiana resident, died after being transported to a local hospital, according to authorities. His name has not been released at this point. Authorities have not released any additional information about what happened at the San Bernardino County warehouse. The incident reportedly is being investigated as an industrial accident.
Police officer identified after deadly shooting in McNairy County
SELMER, Tenn. — A police officer and a suspect died after a shooting Saturday afternoon in McNairy County, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). The suspect was identified by TBI as 39-year-old Daniel Holmes. TBI said it all started just after 3 p.m. Saturday, when officers with the Selmer Police Department (SPD) responded to a “suspicious person” outside a home on New Bethel Road in Selmer. There, Holmes opened fire on an officer, killing him. A second officer arrived and returned fire, killing Holmes, TBI said. Selmer Police on Sunday identified the officer as Rick Finley. The department said that Finley was working part-time for Selmer PD but was also a full-time deputy for the McNairy County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Selmer PD said Holmes tried to enter a home on New Bethel Road before firing several shots into one of its doors. Finley then confronted Holmes in a driveway across the street from the home, where the suspect attacked the officer and shot the officer several times, killing him. A second officer, identified as Lt. Ron Pilkington, arrived moments later and “was able to return fire, killing the suspect,” Selmer PD said.
Parking enforcement worker gunned down at apartment complex
Charlotte, NC — Someone gunned down a parking enforcement worker Tuesday morning at an apartment complex near North Tryon Street and West Arrowhead Road in northeast Charlotte, police and family said. Anthony “A.J” Zellars Jr., 29, of Charlotte, was doing his job at the Townes apartments when he was shot and killed in the parking lot. Zellars’ family sent Channel 9 a statement that read, in part, “A.J. had a loving spirit and prided himself in working hard to provide for his family. A.J. had a tremendous impact on many lives … Our hearts are broken as we process this tragedy.”
Deputy killed following a traffic stop in Charlotte County
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (WWSB) – The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is in mourning after one of their own was shot and killed during a traffic stop Sunday evening. During a press conference Sunday, Sheriff Bill Prummel said Cpl. Elio Diaz pulled a white truck over on U.S. 41 near SunSeeker Resort, and the man driving the truck, Andrew Mostyn, pulled out a rifle and shot Diaz. The truck then sped off down Kings Hwy where deputies caught up with it at a Popeye’s Restaurant. When Mostyn was confronted by deputies, he pulled out a rifle and attempted to shoot at them. Deputies shot at Mostyn, killing him. During the press conference, Sheriff Prummel through tears said Cpl. Diaz was a family man and a friend. He asked for Cpl. Diaz’s family to be in everyone’s prayers.
Georgia truck driver killed after tractor-trailer flips over near Lake City
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. — A man is dead after his tractor-trailer flipped over on the exit ramp of I-10 near Lake City, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) investigators said Monday. According to an FHP crash report, the 67-year-old man from Georgia was driving on the eastbound exit ramp of I-10 near I-75 around 4:10 a.m. Monday when the tractor-trailer he was driving overturned, coming to a stop on its roof. No other vehicles were involved in the crash, and FHP did not say in the crash report what led to the crash.