Monday was Workers Memorial Day where we pause to remember the dead and fight like hell for the living.
Meanwhile, workers continue to die. Here are how a few were killed last week: Highway work zone, falling cargo, firefighting, falls, carwash, vehicle incidents, shootings, 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.
4 dead after dump truck driver strikes crew of utility workers
Eden, NC — A dump truck driver barreled through a stop sign and struck a crew of utility workers in North Carolina, killing four men and injuring three others, authorities said. The incident occurred Thursday afternoon in the city of Eden, as the men were working on power lines in the area, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. .The men were contractors for Duke Energy. Four workers were pronounced dead at the scene. Two were airlifted to an area hospital, with one in critical condition and the other in serious but stable condition, according to the state highway patrol. The four men killed in the incident were identified by the state highway patrol as Douglas Garland Sides, of Summerfield, 72; Madison Carter, of Sandy Ridge, 42; William Evans, of Randleman, 35; and Matthew Lockwood, of Winston-Salem, 30. Three of the men killed and the three injured were Carolina Power and Signalization employees, the company said. Sides was a contract inspector who worked for Victory Powerline Services.
Georgia deputy killed, another shot during traffic stop
Evans, GA — A Georgia deputy was shot and killed during a traffic stop Saturday evening. A second officer was non fatally shot. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the deputy’s death around 6:30 p.m. and said the other deputy was taken to a hospital. Killed at the scene was Deputy Brandon Sikes, who had been with the sheriff’s office since 2018. He is survived by his wife, who also works for the sheriff’s office. Deputy Gavin White was shot in the face and was in critical condition. White was in surgery Sunday, according to the sheriff. James Blake Montgomery was pulled over Saturday evening on Interstate 20 near Augusta by deputies who tried to serve a temporary protective order for a domestic violence case. Montgomery at first appeared cooperative, but produced a fully automatic pistol when two of the deputies turned away, Columbia County Sheriff Clay Whittle said at a briefing. Investigators found pipe bombs inside the vehicle, including one rigged with a remote switch. They also found more guns, Whittle said.
Employee dies in construction accident on Martha’s Vineyard
Edgartown, MA — A 34-year-old man who was working at a construction site died Tuesday after falling at least 20 feet from scaffolding, police confirmed. Officials said that Jorge Marcelo Yanza Riera, of Fall River, was working at a home on 14 Trapps Pond Road and fell from scaffolding between 20 and 30 feet onto a walk-out basement egress area below. A spokesperson for the district attorney said the death preliminarily appears to be a result of a construction-related accident. The incident remains under investigation by Edgartown police, state police, the district attorney’s office and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The incident marks the second fatality on a construction job site in Edgartown this year. In February, a worker fell at the Meshacket Commons affordable housing project. Jose Collaguazo Crespo, 32, of Fall River, died after falling about two stories onto a concrete basement.
Union, KY — A man in northern Kentucky who was working underneath a concrete dump truck was crushed by the vehicle when it fell on him. According to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, the man was working on a hydraulic line when the line failed. The dump truck bed fell on top of the man, crushing him. Fire crews managed to free the man from the massive vehicle, but he died at the scene.
Coroner called to deadly skid steer accident in Clearfield County
BRADY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WTAJ) — A person was killed Saturday morning after a skid steer overturned and pinned them in Clearfield County, Brady Township Fire Chief Russell Gray confirmed. Pennsylvania State Police confirmed that it was a 25-year-old man who was pronounced dead and that no suspicious circumstances exist.
Body of man who fell into river while working found 18 days later
BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC/Gray News) – Georgia authorities say the body of a worker has been found after he went missing nearly three weeks ago. According to the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, Jose Garcia Hernandez fell into the Ogeechee River from an Interstate 95 bridge on April 7 while helping paint the overpass. A search and rescue was initiated to find Hernandez, but deputies said there was no sign of him until Thursday. Around 4 p.m., the sheriff’s office said it received a call from the Ford Field & River Club reporting a strong odor coming from its dock. Upon arrival, deputies and an assisting investigator located a body beneath a private dock at the club that matched the description of Hernandez. Authorities said the man’s family has also been notified. Multiple agencies had searched the area of the Ogeechee River near the bridge for Hernandez.
Car wash employee killed, 2 others injured after being hit by vehicle
Middlesex County, NJ — An employee was struck and killed by a vehicle at a car wash in New Brunswick on Monday afternoon, officials said. The 81-year-old driver was entering the tunnel portion of Trax Car Wash on Route 18 at 1:15 p.m. when she accelerated and hit the worker, New Brunswick police said. Enrique Barahona, 54, of New Brunswick, died of his injuries while two other workers were injured. The crash remains under investigation.
Towman Killed While Loading School Bus
Bakersfield, CA — A tow truck driver was killed Tuesday night while loading a school bus near Golden Valley High School in south Bakersfield, California. The incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. on April 22. According to Bakersfield police, the driver became trapped beneath the bus during the towing process and was pronounced dead at the scene. Golden Empire Towing identified the victim as Cristian Leyva, describing him as a dedicated employee and beloved member of their team. “Our driver was more than a colleague—he was family,” the company said in a statement. Leyva leaves behind a wife and young son. A GoFundMe has been launched to support his family, with organizers noting his deep pride in being a husband and father. Cal/OSHA is investigating the incident.
Chicago firefighter dies battling garage fire
Chicago, IL — A Chicago firefighter was killed while battling a West Side garage fire Wednesday morning, CFD said. It was a difficult day for the Chicago Fire Department and the family of Captain David Meyer as they mourn the loss of the first responder. Chicago Fire Department investigators said the garage fire that led to the tragedy was started by someone igniting the contents of a trash bin. The development comes as Captain Meyer is being remembered as a hard working, decades-long public servant. The fire was put out when the garage collapsed on Captain Meyer. A mayday call was issued for a firefighter down and Meyer was transported to Stroger Hospital, where he later died. CFD said Meyer, 54, was a Chicago native and served on Engine 96 and Truck 29. Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt said Captain Meyer served 28 years on the job and he leaves behind a wife, parents, three daughters and a son.
Ky. firefighter dies after crash while responding to call
Taylor County, KY — A veteran Taylor County firefighter died days after being injured in a crash while responding to a call. Taylor County Fire Department Firefighter Charlie Shaw was involved in a crash on April 15 while responding to another accident. Shaw, 78, sustained only minor injuries and returned home, where he later collapsed. He died on April 20, WKYT reported. According to Supporting Heroes, an autopsy revealed that Shaw developed a blood clot as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. The clot led to a pulmonary embolism, becoming lodged in an artery in his lungs and blocking blood flow to part of the lung. Shaw dedicated nearly six decades to the Taylor County Fire Department, beginning his service as a volunteer firefighter in 1965 and becoming a career firefighter in 1970. Over the years, he also served as the Campbellsville-Taylor County Rescue chief and worked as an area coordinator for the state’s fire rescue training program.
Construction worker dies after being run over by truck
Newhall, CA — A construction worker was declared dead at the scene of a construction site on Avenue Penn on Tuesday afternoon after he was reportedly run over by a construction truck, according to a spokesman with the California Highway Patrol Newhall-area. It was initially reported that a construction worker fell off a truck, but upon investigating at the scene, it was believed that the driver was first inside the vehicle before he ended up in front of the vehicle and it began to roll forward and hit the driver. The construction worker was later identified as Ruben Correa II, 50, from Chino Hills
Sheriff’s deputy killed by debris from passing vehicle during traffic stop
Lamesa, TX — According to the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Jessie Perez died Thursday after debris from a passing vehicle hit him during a traffic stop. Texas authorities are investigating a crash that killed one of their deputies. Texas troopers say the debris came from a passing commercial vehicle. Perez was transported to Lamesa Medical Arts Hospital but succumbed to his injuries at 1:44 p.m.
Woman dead, man injured in construction accident
Oakton, VA — A construction accident on Tuesday killed one woman and sent a man to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). Detectives believe a woman was helping guide a large crate onto a home construction site she owns, when it fell on and killed her. The crate also fell on a man, also the homeowner, sending him to the hospital. Officials later told 7News the two victims were standing near each other when the crate fell.
Firefighter Dies on duty
South Jordan, UT — Speaking through tears and long pauses to gather his emotions, South Jordan Fire Department Chief Chris Dawson shared memories of Corban Summers, the firefighter who died while on duty Monday. The fire chief described Corban as “perhaps the most positive individual I have ever met.” It’s believed that Summers suffered a medical episode at the station, but its cause was not known. A 23-year veteran of the South Jordan Fire Department, Summers also spent time with departments in Bluffdale, Saratoga Springs and West Jordan during his career. He had recently remarried in February and leaves behind his wife, three adult daughters and one adult son.
Soldier found dead during training at Fort Jackson
Fort Jackson, SC — A basic combat training soldier from Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, was found deceased during training, on Thursday, April 24th, officials at Fort Jackson said on Sunday. “Losing a teammate affects us all,” said Fort Jackson Commander, Maj. Gen. Daryl O. Hood. “Our thoughts and prayers are with their family as well as the cadre and fellow trainees.” According to the Fort Jackson Facebook Page, in response to the incident, the unit is conducting a 48-hour training stand down. Fort Jackson is providing resources to the family and members of the unit as they grieve and process the loss. Due to U.S. Army regulation, the name of the soldier is being withheld until the entire next of kin notification process is complete.
Kansas City firefighter-paramedic dies after patient stabs him in ambulance
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City firefighter-paramedic has died after being stabbed by a patient he was transporting to a hospital on Sunday morning, the Kansas City Fire Department said. According to the Kansas City Police Department, just before 1 a.m., KCFD crews were dispatched to North Oak Trafficway and 152 Highway on a “routine medical call.” KCPD said the call was for a welfare check after a woman was seen walking along the westbound lanes of 152 Highway. When KCFD emergency responders arrived, they reportedly took the woman in the ambulance, but while en route to the hospital, the woman stabbed the firefighter-paramedic, later identified as Graham Hoffman, in the chest with an “edged weapon or sharp object.” Hoffman’s partner stopped to help and take the woman into custody, but was also assaulted by the patient. Both firefighters were taken to a hospital, with Hoffman originally reported to have suffered life-threatening injuries and his partner reported to have non-life-threatening injuries.
CAPT worker dies in an on the job accident
Celina, OH — A Celina Aluminum Precision Associate Inc. (CAPT) associate was injured on Friday while performing a repair to a machine. He was transported to a hospital but did not survive. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. CAPT notified the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and will work with OSHA to help discover the cause of this accident. CAPT has made arrangements for counselors to be available for any of our associates.