How workers died last week: Trench collapse, rail incident, pinned by a truck, trapped in a water tank, tree care, , 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.
Worker dies after suffering injuries in trench collapse
Norwich, CT — A sewer line worker who was seriously injured Friday when a trench he was working under collapsed has died, officials said Saturday. Michael Dirocco, 60, of Norwich, was pronounced dead at Backus Hospital after he was pulled from the trench, Sgt. Ken Wright of the Norwich Police Department stated in a news release. Wright said the department is now investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal workplace incident alongside the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Norwich Fire Battalion Chief Patrick Curtin said the trench was being dug as part of an effort to connect a private residence’s sewer line to the city’s sewer line. It was approximately 25 to 30 feet long, 5 feet wide and 5 feet deep. “The patient was partly submerged under dirt within the trench approximately 5 feet down. This first arriving company evaluated the trench, the risks involved, and were able to enter and remove (him) from the trench,” Curtin said. Emergency responders started life-saving measures, and the victim was transported to the hospital in traumatic arrest. All other workers were accounted for after emergency crews responded, Curtin said.
Two workers die after getting trapped in Parker County water tank
Parker County, TX — Two workers died after getting stuck in an underground water tank in Parker County on Friday, according to Parker County firefighters and the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office. Parker County ESD 1 Two workers died after getting stuck in an underground water tank in Parker County on Friday, according to Parker County firefighters and the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office. Tarrant County deputies were dispatched to assist Parker County Emergency Services with a rescue attempt in the 12000 block of Aledo Iona Road at about 5:15 p.m., according to a news release. Initial call details indicated that two men who had been performing maintenance on the tank could not be reached by coworkers. TOP VIDEOS Continue watching after the ad The video player is currently playing an ad. The men were unresponsive as crews tried to rescue them, authorities said. Parker County ESD 1 said in a news release that its crews were called shortly before 5 p.m. to the scene, where the workers were inside the concrete tank “in a below grade space or trench.”
Dump Truck Driver Killed by Drunk Driver
Greenville, SC — The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said a driver was charged with DUI after a deadly crash took place on I-385 late Sunday night and into Monday morning. According to the Greenville Police Department, a dump truck and a white Audi SUV with two occupants were both heading south on I-385 when the Audi hit the dump truck and caused it to overturn and eject the driver at exit 37 around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday. Officials said the driver of the dump truck was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later passed away after midnight. He was identified as 58-year-old David Mather Whitehead Sr. of High Point, North Carolina.
Union Pacific Railroad worker killed by train in Nacogdoches, officials say
NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KETK) – A Union Pacific Railroad worker died on Monday while working near the South Fredonia Street railway crossing in Nacogdoches. The Nacogdoches Police Department said officers responded to reports that a someone had been struck by a train at around 3:28 p.m. on Monday. In a statement obtained by KETK, Union Pacific Railroad said they were saddened by this loss. Robert Gardner, 43, was identified as the person killed in a train accident while on the job for Class I rail carrier Union Pacific (UP) in an accident Monday afternoon.
Worker Killed in Industrial accident at Aluminum Plant
Niles, OH — Trumbull County Coroner’s office has provided the name of the man who died at a Niles aluminum plant. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating after Ray Delbene, 60, of Niles died Friday. Delbene was taken to St. Joseph Warren Hospital’s emergency room by ambulance after being found unconscious at BRT Extrusions on North Main Street. An obituary for Delbene says the he died from injuries sustained in an “industrial accident.” But the coroner is waiting for the results of toxicology tests before issuing a ruling on the death.
Man pinned by truck, killed in Orange County
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – A man working on a truck late Monday was pinned by the vehicle and killed in Orange County, deputies said. The industrial accident happened around 10:30 p.m. at 6748 Muskogee St. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the scene and found a man in his 50s pinned by a truck. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, sheriff’s officials said. No other details have been released.
Dump truck driver killed as he crosses highway, rolls into ditch
Winona, MN — A dump truck driver was killed when his vehicle crossed a highway in southeastern Minnesota and then crashed into a ditch. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened around 7:20 p.m. Monday at Highway 14 and Gilmore Valley Road on the outskirts of Winona. A dump truck driver was heading north on Gilmore Valley Road approaching the T-junction with Highway 14. Police say his vehicle “crossed the eastbound and westbound lanes of Highway 14 and entered the ditch, rolling onto its side.” The driver, a 68-year-old man from Fountain City, Wisconsin, suffered fatal injuries. His identity has not yet been released by the Minnesota State Patrol.
Truck driver killed in Claiborne Parish accident
Claiborne Parish, LA — Adrian Combs, 40, of Minden, LA, was killed about 11:15 a.m. Monday, June 9, 2025 in a single-vehicle wreck in Claiborne Parish. According to a preliminary Louisiana State Police report, the accident happened on Moody Road near Holly Springs Road. A 2019 Mack TerraPro, driven by Combs, was traveling west on Moody Road. For reasons still under investigation, Combs’ vehicle exited the roadway and collided with a tree. Combs, who was unrestrained at the time of the crash, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene. A passenger, who was unrestrained in the front passenger seat, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Southern Minnesota firefighter dies in the line of duty; governor orders flags at half-staff
Amboy, MN — A 35-year-old firefighter in Amboy, Minnesota, has died in the line of duty, according to the Minnesota Fire Service Foundation. Andrew Karels died on Monday, state officials say. He served nearly 10 years with the Amboy Fire Department and was the unit’s medical officer.
Worker dies at Smithfield Tar Heel plant
Tar Heel, NC — A worker at the Smithfield Foods pork processing plant in Tar Heel, NC, died on June 12. A company spokesperson told MEAT+POULTRY an employee experienced a medical emergency that needed immediate attention. “CPR was performed on site but unfortunately our employee later passed away while under the care of emergency responders,” the company said. “We do not yet know the cause.” After the death, the North Carolina Department of Occupational Safety and Health Division was notified, and Smithfield stated it would cooperate with the investigation. Officials did not release the name of the worker who died.
Firefighter killed during training exercise
Riceville, NC –-A member of the Riceville Volunteer Fire Department has died in a line-of-duty accident, according to a June 14 Buncombe County news release. The release said the death occurred during a training exercise “serious accident” involving an all-terrain vehicle in Montreat. Two other members of the department were “transported for medical treatment,” according to the news release. Violet Caramella, a firefighter and advanced emergency medical technician for the Riceville Volunteer Fire Department, was involved in the accident. Caramella, who had been with the Riceville department for a year and also served with the Skyland Fire Department, succumbed to her injuries despite lifesaving efforts from fellow firefighters and emergency personnel.
Arkansas tree trimmer dies after worksite injury
Helena, AR — An Arkansas tree trimmer died after a worksite injury Wednesday, according to Helena-West Helena Mayor Christopher Franklin. Franklin said the man worked for a local tree contractor. He died as a result of accidental injuries he received at the worksite on DeSoto Street, according to the mayor. The man died at the scene of that accident.
Towing employee killed after being hit by vehicle stolen from Peoria business
Car dealership employee killed Friday in northeast Oklahoma City crash identified
Oklahoma City, OK — Police released the name of a man who was killed in a multi-vehicle crash last week outside a car dealership in northeast Oklahoma City. An Oklahoma City Police Department incident report states that the crash happened around 12:30 p.m. Friday outside where multiple car dealerships are located just south of Kelley Avenue and Memorial Road. When officers arrived, they found an unresponsive man inside a Camry. He was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Oklahoma City Police Department identified the driver as Christian Root, 23. One of the dealerships confirmed that Root was an employee. Officials expressed their heartbreak and said they’re stepping in to support his family as well as their employees. On Friday, police told KOCO 5 that a black Audi hit a white sedan that was pulling out of a car dealership. The white sedan was then forced into a curb line and rolled over. Police said no arrests have been made as of Monday.
Man pinned by truck, killed in Orange County
Orange County, FL — A man working on a truck late Monday was pinned by the vehicle and killed in Orange County, deputies said. The industrial accident happened around 10:30 p.m. at 6748 Muskogee St. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the scene and found a man in his 50s pinned by a truck. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, sheriff’s officials said. No other details have been released.
Dump truck driver killed as he crosses highway, rolls into ditch
Winona, MN — A dump truck driver was killed when his vehicle crossed a highway in southeastern Minnesota and then crashed into a ditch. The Minnesota State Patrol says the crash happened around 7:20 p.m. Monday at Highway 14 and Gilmore Valley Road on the outskirts of Winona. A dump truck driver was heading north on Gilmore Valley Road approaching the T-junction with Highway 14. Police say his vehicle “crossed the eastbound and westbound lanes of Highway 14 and entered the ditch, rolling onto its side.” The driver, a 68-year-old man from Fountain City, Wisconsin, suffered fatal injuries. His identity has not yet been released by the Minnesota State Patrol.