How workers died last week. Fall from a skyscraper, crushed by industrial machinery, explosion, wall collapse, traffic accidents, 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 Killed In Midtown Fall
Midtown, NY — A construction worker has tragically died in Midtown Manhattan after falling from an elevated position along East 49th Street. New York City officials are saying that the accident took place around 9:40 AM on Thursday. A construction worker was helping an electrician when he fell multiple stories. Paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victim. Despite life-saving measures, the construction worker was pronounced dead at the scene. The employee has not yet been identified. The Department of Buildings has issued a stop work order as they continue to investigate.
Maintenance worker dies after ‘incident’ at Fort Cavazos range
Fort Cavazos, TX — A federal contractor has died in an incident involving a target at a Fort Cavazos firing range, officials confirmed. The federal contractor was working on a target at Clabber Creek Multi-Use Range, which is used regularly by Army tanks and other weapons systems for training purposes. The worker was not shot, but died while working on the mechanical target, according to a Fort Cavazos spokesman. Exactly how he died is under investigation. Fort Cavazos did not release the worker’s name, but said he was employed by Pulau Corporation, a sub-contractor of Lockheed Martin.
One killed in accident at rock quarry in southwest Charlotte
Charlotte, NC — One person was killed Wednesday morning in an industrial accident at a rock quarry in southwest Charlotte, the fire department confirmed. 57-year-old Juan Maciel was killed on the job. He was an employee at the Martin Marietta Rock Quarry located on Texland Boulevard Charlotte, NC. Juan was killed on March 5, 2025. First responders were called to the Martin Marietta quarry in the 11000 block of Texland Boulevard off Westinghouse Boulevard shortly before 11 a.m. They got there and confirmed there was a fatality. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating the death.
Firefighter Dies after Falling From Fire Truck
Union County, MS — A firefighter died after a weekend accident. According to reports, 58-year-old Terry Dye fell from a fire truck and was critically injured while responding to a call on County Road near Etta. Dyke was taken to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo where he later died from his injuries on Monday. Union County Emergency Management Director, Curt Clayton, states that Dyke had suffered major head trauma in the fall. Dyke marks the first line death of a firefighter in the history of Union County. He is Mississippi’s first firefighter to die in the line of duty in 2025.
Second Sun Metro employee dies after explosion
El Paso, TX — A second employee has died following the Sun Metro explosion and fire that happened on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at its Operations Center, the City of El Paso said. The City said that German Garcia was a fleet maintenance technician who joined Sun Metro in December last year. He was one of the two people who were flown to Phoenix for treatment of critical injuries. As we have previously reported, Ruben Ibarra, the other person who was flown to Phoenix, died on Thursday, Feb. 13, Ibarra’s family confirmed with KTSM.
One Worker Killed, Another Injured at Manorhaven, Long Island Demolition Site Accident
LONG ISLAND, NY – One worker was killed, and another was injured after a wall collapsed in Manorhaven along Kirkwood Road. Long Island officials are saying that the incident took place around 11:43 AM on Monday. Two workers were at the demolition site when the wall collapsed on top of them. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene in order to help the victims. A 20-year-old man went into cardiac arrest after the accident and was later pronounced dead at the hospital. A 56-year-old man was also transported to the hospital with more moderate injuries. An investigation by OSHA remains ongoing.
Police officer killed, another injured in shooting involving 14-year-old suspect
Newark, NJ — Detective Joseph Azcona was shot and killed, and another detective was injured in a shooting on Friday night in Newark, New Jersey, Essex County Prosecutor Theordore Stephens announced on Saturday. The prosecutor also confirmed that a 14-year-old suspect was shot and is expected to recover from his injuries. The shooting happened at about 6:37 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Carteret Street and Broadway. According to Stephens, Azcona did not have the chance to exit his police vehicle before he was shot. Both detectives and the teen suspect were taken to University Hospital, where Azcona was pronounced dead, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. Det. Joseph Azcona, a five-year veteran of the Newark Police Department, was shot before he had a chance to get out of his vehicle, officials said. The 26-year-old was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Azcona was promoted to detective two years ago and assigned to the intelligence unit. His parents and five brothers were at the hospital when he was pronounced dead. He was not married.
Semi truck driver killed in single vehicle Accident
Lehigh County, PA — A New Jersey truck driver was killed when his tractor-trailer veered off the road and overturned on Interstate 78 in Pennsylvania, officials announced on Thursday, March 6. Timothy O. Atanda, 48, of Newark, was behind the wheel when the crash happened at mile marker 60.7 in Upper Saucon Township, Lehigh County, at approximately 2:01 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office said. Atanda was pronounced dead at 2:47 p.m. in the emergency department at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest. An autopsy determined his cause of death was blunt force injuries due to a motor vehicle accident, and the manner was ruled accidental, according to the coroner. Pennsylvania State Police at Fogelsville are continuing to investigate.
Family Dollar Employee killed during armed robbery
Bowie County, TX— A store employee died on Saturday night (March 8). Officials with the Bowie County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported armed robbery at a Family Dollar. Upon arrival, deputies learned that an employee had been shot during a robbery. At 8 p.m., Denyle Pierce, 47, was working at the Family Dollar when Keyshawn Wickware, 27, reportedly came inside to rob the store. During the robbery, Wickware allegedly shot Pierce. Pierce was dead at the scene when deputies arrived. Store surveillance was obtained by investigators. According to BSCO, the cameras captured the event and provided deputies with an accurate description of the suspect. BCSO Sheriff Jeff Neal says there was one other employee in the store at the time, but they are uninjured. Wickware has been booked into Bowie County Jail for the offence of capital murder. The investigation is ongoing.
Southern California firefighter dies from job-related cancer
Ventura County, CA — A 32-year-old fire engineer died late last week after contracting cancer in the line of duty, officials announced. Thomas “Tommy” James Daniel Minadeo was diagnosed with job-related cancer about five months ago and had been undergoing chemotherapy before his death Friday, the Ventura County Fire Department said in a news release. Minadeo had served in the fire department for almost 10 years and was a resident of Ventura. Fires in buildings, hazardous material incidents and other emergencies expose firefighters to chemicals and toxins that boost their risk of job-related illnesses compared to other jobs, officials said. Minadeo is survived by his mother, Diana Minadeo; his fiancé, Vanessa Gubbels; and two siblings.
Firefighter line-of-duty death reported in Boone County
Boone County, WV — A Danville Volunteer Fire Department firefighter has died in a line-of-duty death after responding to an emergency call this past weekend. According to the State Fire Marshal, firefighter Steve Griffith, 66, experienced a medical event at the Danville VFD firehouse on Sunday, March 2, around 5:00 p.m. Griffith had responded to an emergency call around 11:00 p.m. the previous night. Griffith was transported to Boone Memorial Hospital and then later transferred to CAMC Memorial in Charleston. Griffith passed away at the hospital on Monday evening. Steve Griffith was an experienced firefighter, with 48 years of service in the Danville Fire Department. The West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office ruled Griffith’s death a line-of-duty death. The office explained when a firefighter experiences a medical event that ends up resulting in death within 24 hours after an emergency response it is ruled a line-of-duty death.
USPS worker shot, killed by another employee at Tukwila facility
Tukwila, WA — Two United States Postal Service (USPS) employees are dead following an altercation at a processing and distribution center in Tukwila on the afternoon of March 4. Tukwila police officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 10700 block of 27th Avenue South just before 4 p.m. When officers arrived, they found a man with a gunshot wound and started aid until medics could arrive. The man died at the scene. USPS confirmed an employee at the facility was the victim. Tukwila police said the suspect was also a USPS employee. Police found the suspect in a car in the evening in Seattle. The suspect shot himself and was taken to Harborview Medical Center, according to Tukwila police. He died from his injuries at the hospital. According to Postal Inspector John Wiegand, the suspect shot himself as officers moved in to detain him. Investigators believe the victim and suspect knew each other. According to Wiegand, an altercation took place between the two employees prior to the shooting. The shooting is believed to be an isolated incident between the two people.
Box Truck Driver killed on Duty
Bergen County, NJ — A box truck driver was killed Thursday night in a four-vehicle crash on Route 17 south in Hasbrouck Heights, Edwin B. Coreas, 30, one of the drivers involved in the collision, died from fatal injuries, officials said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash happened at around 6:20 p.m. near the Franklin Avenue intersection on Route 17, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. Several occupants of other vehicles involved in the crash were taken to the hospital with varying degrees of injuries, said BCPO. Coreas operated a Isuzu box truck on Route 17 and collided with another motor vehicle, which then led to another two vehicles being involved in a chain-reaction crash, the prosecutor’s office said. The press release from the BCPO did not state the condition of the other people involved in the wreck.
Firefighter killed in crash on Wednesday always wanted to be an EMT, father says
Stanly County, NC — A firefighter was killed in the line of duty on Wednesday while responding to a crash in Stanly County, officials said. Christopher Rothmeyer, 27, died after being involved in a single-vehicle accident on NC Highway 8 near Baldwin Road in New London, which is north of Albemarle. Rothmeyer was headed to another crash scene when the incident occurred, according to a release from the Stanly County Fire Marshal’s Office. Emergency responders from New London Volunteer Fire Department, Stanly County EMS, and Richfield-Misenheimer Volunteer Fire Department attempted life-saving measures at the scene. Rothmeyer was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died from his injuries. WCNC Charlotte spoke with Rothmeyer’s parents. Rothmeyer had served Stanly County as a first responder since 2016, working with the New London Volunteer Fire Department, Bethany Community Volunteer Fire Department, and Stanly County EMS during his career. Rothmeyer’s parents said since he was a boy he always wanted to help people. They said he’d dreamed of being an EMT.
Worker killed in suspected DUI crash in west Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ — A man has died after a suspected DUI crash near 35th and Grand avenues Tuesday night, Phoenix police confirmed. Around 11 p.m., officers were called to the scene of the crash involving a truck and a box-style work truck. Authorities said officers found a man, identified as 54-year-old Yusuf Munir, inside the work truck suffering from serious injuries. Munir was taken to the hospital but he did not survive his injuries and died. The driver of the other truck stayed on scene and was provided medical care. Police said the man was taken to the hospital where officers noticed signs of intoxication. He was admitted with serious but non-life-threatening injuries and processed for DUI. The investigation into the crash is ongoing. Initial investigations indicate the work truck was stopped in the roadway with emergency cones around the designated work area when the suspect’s truck crashed into the work truck. Yusuf was a subcontractor doing routine work on a sewer system for the Phoenix Water Services Department.
Teen who killed San Antonio Sonic employee believed to be in Austin
Louisiana truck driver killed in Bridge City crash
Bridge City, TX — A Louisiana truck driver died from injuries he suffered after crashing into a trailer pulled by another 18 wheeler, according to the Bridge City Police Department. Keith Kuffler, 48, from Iota, Louisiana was driving his 2016 Freightliner in the 500 block of Texas Avenue at about 5:15 a.m. Tuesday when he failed to control his speed and crashed into a trailer pulled by a 2013 Peterbuilt semi-truck. Kuffler was taken to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital where he died. 30-year-old Raymond McCain III was driving the Peterbuilt truck. He was also transported to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
New Orleans Fire Captain Found Dead at Headquarters
New Orleans, LA — New Orleans firefighters are mourning the loss of another veteran leader. Capt. Michael Windsay died Monday while on duty at headquarters. Windsay, the acting 5th District Chief, celebrated his 30th anniversary with the department last month, NOLA reported. The cause of his death is pending.
Teacher found dead inside classroom at Munford High, leading to school closure, police say
MUNFORD, Tenn. – A teacher was found dead inside a classroom at Munford High on Thursday morning, leading officials to shut down the school for the day. Munford Police (MPD) said the teacher was found dead inside of a classroom around 6 a.m. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police. The teacher’s body was discovered before school started, leading the school to close for the day due to the “emergency situation.” Tipton County Schools Assistant Superintendent Rebekah Byrd called the teacher’s death “an isolated incident.”
David Tubb, Pedro Flores-Gonzalez Killed in Truck Accident in Ward County, TX
Ward County, TX — David Tubb and Pedro Flores-Gonzalez were killed in a truck accident at about 10:15 a.m. on F.M. 1776. Authorities said a 2013 Peterbilt semi-truck was traveling southwest when a vehicle stopped ahead of it, partially blocking the road. The truck was moving around the stopped vehicle when it collided head-on with a 1999 Peterbilt. Both drivers were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash about two miles south of Stockton Avenue, according to authorities. David Allen Tubb, 59, of Conroe was driving the older Peterbilt, while Florida resident Pedro A. Flores-Gonzalez, 59, was driving the other truck.