How workers died last week. Falls, skid loader, machinery, firefighting, vehicle incidents, shootings and stabbing. 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.
Worker dies after skid loader falls on him at central Pa. machine shop
Mill Creek Township, PA — A 34-year-old construction worker from Berks County died Friday morning in Lebanon County after a skid loader bucket fell and trapped him, according to area police. The incident was first reported at TLS Equipment LLC, along the 100 block of Stricklerstown Loop Road in Mill Creek Township, around 9:39 a.m. The Lebanon County Coroner’s Office was sent to the area around 10:30 a.m. The victim, Clinton D. Martin, of Robesonia, worked for the construction company for six years, police confirmed. Investigators believe the man was working under the skid loader’s raised arms when a hydraulic line burst, dropping the arms and pinning the man. Other workers were able to lift the skid loader off the victim, but when EMS crews arrived on the scene they determined the man was dead.
Greene County Solid Waste Employee Killed In Wreck
Greene County, TN — A Greene County employee was killed in a single-vehicle accident around 9:30 Monday morning. A Greene County Solid Waste Department truck driven by Kenny F. Ricker was traveling west on East McKee Street near Laughlin Healthcare Center when the vehicle dropped off the edge of the roadway. The truck then came back onto the roadway, rolled onto the passenger side, and struck a tree with the cab area. The vehicle was hauling a convenience center container. Ricker was extricated by the Greeneville Fire Department and the Greeneville Emergency & Rescue Squad. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was transported by EMS to the Quillen College of Medicine for an autopsy.
Construction worker dies during Waldorf-Astoria renovations in Midtown
New York, NY — A construction worker died at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Midtown on Thursday morning during a workplace mishap that left his colleagues stunned and angry. Police sources said the tragic incident occurred at around 9:40 a.m. on Jan. 2 inside of 301 Park Ave., the iconic address that is undergoing major renovations ahead of an anticipated spring reopening. The Department of Buildings (DOB) issued an order halting all work on the site until further notice. A 45-year-old man was on the job site when he somehow fell at least two floors, killing him. Based on a preliminary investigation, police believe the injuries he suffered appeared to be consistent with a fall. Police have yet to release the deceased’s identity, adding that the investigation remains ongoing. According to the DOB, the worker was helping a licensed electrician install metal framing for wiring and related equipment in a catwalk area between the third and fourth floors. The catwalk suddenly gave way as the worker walked upon it, causing the victim and the electrician to fall 40 feet into a third-floor bathroom.
Fla. DOT worker killed, troopers injured after driver crashes into public safety vehicles
MIAMI, Fla. — A Florida Department of Transportation Road Ranger was struck and killed by a car early Wednesday morning while he and Florida Highway Patrol troopers were responding to a vehicle crash along Interstate 95 near Hollywood Boulevard, police say. A BMW SUV triggered a “chain reaction” crash, according to the FHP. It rear-ended another car, careened into the Road Ranger’s truck, which hit a FHP cruiser that then struck the 28-year-old FDOT worker. The 45-year-old driver of the BMW was traveling behind a Honda Accord sedan. Both cars were in the inside lane as they approached the Road Ranger’s truck and two FHP cruisers, all of which had their emergency flashing lights on as they were parked in the southbound express lane of the highway to deal with the car crash, said Lt. Indiana Miranda, an agency spokeswoman. The driver of the Honda slowed down, but the BMW driver, a Miami man the FHP has not named, “failed to take evasive action,” Miranda said, and he crashed into the car in front of him. From there, the BMW crashed into a concrete wall, then into the back of the Road Ranger truck, which hit the trooper’s car, which hit the Road Ranger and another trooper’s car, Miranda said. Both troopers suffered minor injuries, Miranda said, as did the driver of the Honda. The Road Ranger, a Pembroke Pines man who has not been named pending notification of his next of kin, died at the scene, Miranda said.
Arkansas DOT worker killed on highway Thursday
HUMNOKE, Ark. — The Arkansas State Police (ASP) is investigating the death of an Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) worker who was killed in an accident on Thursday around 10 a.m. In a news release, the ASP identified the victim as Charles “Tony” Glover, 39, an ARDOT employee from Jacksonville, Ark. was struck and killed by the driver of a 2025 Toyota Sequoia traveling southbound on State Highway 13, south of Humnoke in Lonoke County. At the time of the accident, Glover was filling potholes in the roadway behind a stopped ARDOT dump truck. The driver of the Sequoia failed to stop, fatally striking Glover.
Mt. Vernon man killed in tragic work accident
POSEY CO., Ind. (WFIE) – A Mount Vernon man will be laid to rest Friday after he was killed in an accident. Posey County Deputies say 66-year-old Leo Muller was one of the workers who were trying to move a grate Monday, shortly before 10 a.m. It was at the intersection of Raben and Brown Slagle Road. Deputies say the co-worker got inside an excavator, while Muller stayed outside. They say the co-worker’s jacket got caught on a lever, causing the arm of the excavator to hit Muller and knock him into some water. Muller died at the scene. “It was a tragic, freak accident,” deputies told us.
4th active-duty Massachusetts firefighter dies within a two week period
Brockton, MA — The Brockton Fire Department has announced the Line of Duty Death of Captain Stephen Monteiro. Captain Monteiro succumbed to occupational cancer on Wednesday January 1, 2025. Captain Monteiro rose through the ranks of the Brockton Fire Department after being appointed on November 29, 1999. Captain Monteiro worked in the Campello section of the city as well the East side and most recently was in command of the Fire Alarm and Communication Division of the Brockton Fire Department. Captain Monteiro fought a courageous battle over the past two years returning to full duty after his initial treatments two years ago. Captain Monteiro was being treated for his occupational cancer over the past two weeks at Brigham and Women’s hospital by an incredible team of clinicians.
Worker Dies By Apparent Suicide At Trilith Studios Near Atlanta
Fayetteville, GA — Police are investigating an apparent suicide at Trilith Studios in the Atlanta suburb of Fayetteville, GA. Officers and medical personnel responded to a report of an “unconscious adult contractor” inside a vehicle on the studio property at around 6:47 a.m. Wednesday, according to a police statement. The unidentified person was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police say foul play is not suspected and the investigation is not connected to any ongoing studio projects. A crew member has identified the dead worker as a Teamster, but that has not been confirmed.
ODOT worker killed on foot in crash near Talihina; driver, 80, died at scene
LeFlore County, OK — An Oklahoma Department of Transportation worker was killed Monday on a LeFlore County state highway after a crash involving an 80-year-old driver, who also died. An Oklahoma Department of Transportation worker was killed Monday on a LeFlore County state highway after a crash involving an 80-year-old driver, who also died The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said James R. Alford was driving on OK-82, one mile west of Talihina, around 11:00 a.m. and was involved in a crash with Jaden C. Jackson, and an unoccupied truck. Both Alford and Jackson were pronounced dead on scene. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation said Jackson was an operator who had worked for ODOT’s District 2 in southeast Oklahoma for 10 months.
Woman charged with murder after postal worker stabbed to death in Harlem deli
HARLEM, NY — A woman has been charged after a USPS worker was stabbed and killed inside a deli while on the job in Harlem on Thursday afternoon, police said. Jaia Cruz, 24, of Harlem was charged with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter in the death of 36-year-old Ray Hodge III, according to police. Officers responded to the deli at 168 Lenox Avenue after 2:30 p.m. and found Hodge stabbed or slashed multiple times inside the deli, including in the torso, arms, back and neck. He was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem where he was pronounced dead. Police say the attack appears to have stemmed from a dispute between two customers over who ordered first, t0hen turned physical. A weapon has been recovered. “I know the guys that deliver mail,” said resident Uzo Guchiaschi. “And just like this he’s gone. It’s very scary. It’s very, very scary.”
OSHA investigating after worker falls to his death in Tamarac
Tamarac, FL — The Broward Sheriff’s Office and OSHA are investigating the death of a worker who appeared to have fallen from the third floor of a building in Tamarac on Friday afternoon. A little after 1 p.m., deputies arrived at the building in the 8100 block of North University Drive, the Sheriff’s Office said in an email. Tamarac Fire Rescue took the man to Broward Health North, where he was pronounced dead. The worker had “possibly fallen from the third floor,” the Sheriff’s Office said. OSHA is now investigating the company, WL General Services, Corp., a Palm Beach County general contractor, in relation to the worker’s death. A woman who answered the phone number for the company Friday said “we don’t have any comment at this time.”
MARTA bus driver shot and killed at Decatur Station identified by police
DECATUR, Ga. – A MARTA bus operator was shot and killed in a dispute over fare payment at the Decatur MARTA station on Friday evening, according to MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. at the Swanton Way bus circle. Chief Kreher said the agency’s emergency dispatch officer received a call reporting the shooting, and officers were immediately dispatched to the scene. “Our officers were dispatched, and we also had officers close to the station. Information went out over the police radio and to our partners in the area, including Decatur police,” Kreher said. The argument began as a dispute over fare evasion, escalating into a physical confrontation that ended with the bus operator being shot three times. The operator, a two-year veteran of MARTA’s bus operations, succumbed to the injuries while being transported to the hospital. He was later identified as 47-year-old Leroy Ramos. Three suspects were involved in the altercation, according to Kreher. Two, who police say are juveniles, have been taken into custody, while the third remains at large.
Nashville truck driver killed in crash along I-80 in Iowa
Johnson County, IA — A man from Nashville, Tennessee is dead after crashing his semi on I-80 in Johnson County early Wednesday morning. According to an Iowa State Patrol crash report, a semi-truck was driving eastbound near mile marker 245 around 5:12 a.m. when it left the roadway and struck a bridge guardrail for unknown reasons. The truck then entered a ditch and overturned onto the driver’s side of the vehicle. The driver, identified as 25-year-old Jeremy Rogers of Nashville, died as a result. The report states that the driver was not using a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Orange County firefighter dies in line of duty during house fire
Laguna Niguel CA — A firefighter with the Orange County Fire Authority died in the line of duty early Sunday morning, officials announced. According to OCFA, the fire was reported just before 5 a.m. at a residence in the 29400 block of Pointe Royale, located in a neighborhood off Crown Valley Parkway in Laguna Niguel. Crews were on scene conducting a search for residents when one firefighter, Fire Apparatus Engineer Kevin Skinner, reported feeling unwell and was escorted to a paramedic unit nearby. Shortly after, he collapsed, and despite lifesaving efforts from fellow first responders, he did not survive. Officials confirmed in a press release late Sunday morning that he suffered a cardiac arrest.