Weekly Toll: Not Coming Home From Work

How Workers Died Last Week: Machinery, tuberculosis, construction, forklift, skid steer, logging, vehicle incidents, stabbing and 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. Why We Write The Weekly Toll

OSHA investigating after employee dies at Lancaster tobacco processing facility

LANCASTER, Pa. — An employee at the Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Company died at the facility on Wednesday, Sept. 3, according to Caryn Foster Durham, Director of Strategic Communications with the company. According to the Lancaster County Coroner’s Office, Apolinar Mendez Heredia, 63, of Lancaster, was pronounced dead after first responders removed him from a piece of machinery. The coroner’s office responded to the scene at about 1:17 p.m. He was transported to the Lancaster County Forensic Center for further investigation, and an autopsy will be scheduled, the coroner’s office said. We are deeply saddened by the death of our colleague and extend our condolences to the individual’s family,” Durham said. “The safety and wellbeing of our employees is of paramount importance to Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Company, and we are working to determine the cause of the incident.” Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Company is a processing and storage facility that is a subsidiary of Universal Corporation, the leading global supplier of leaf tobacco, according to their website.

National Forest Contract Worker Killed

La Barge Creek, WY — A contract worker for the Bridger-Teton National Forest has died in a work-related accident. Authorities say 30-year-old Victor Salvador Alvarado of Mexico was working in the La Barge Creek area Saturday when he was struck by a falling tree. He was taken to Star Valley Health but did not survive. Officials confirm Alvarado was not a firefighter or near the Willow Creek Fire.

Man dies after being pinned under forklift

Erie, PA — A man was killed Thursday afternoon after reportedly becoming pinned under a forklift. That accident happened just before 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon at First Line Coatings, located in the 900 block of West 12th Street. Both Erie firefighters and Erie police responded to the scene. According to Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook, a 44-year-old man was driving a forklift near a loading dock when it went off the edge. falling onto the victim and killing him instantly. On Friday, Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook identified the man as 44-year-old Matt Rogers of Lake City.

Man killed in logging accident

HOWELLS, NY – A man working in Howells was killed Thursday in a logging accident, Town of Wallkill Police said Friday. The accident occurred shortly before 1:30 p.m. at 38 Derby Road. The location was about one mile from the road in the woods. When first responders reached the victim he was found to be in traumatic arrest and today police confirm the man died from injuries in the mishap.

Muscogee County coroner identifies man killed in construction accident

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The man who was killed in a construction accident Wednesday, July 16, has been identified. 49-year-old Michael Cody, a subcontractor out of Edison, Georgia, was the person killed in the accident that happened near Rivercrest Drive. Authorities say he was operating a roller compactor, which flipped over, pinning him underneath the roll bar.

Family of Microsoft engineer, 35, found dead at work delivers heartbreaking plea

Mountain View, CA — The family of a young Microsoft engineer who died at work is pleading with Silicon Valley firms to stop overworking their employees. Pratik Pandey, 35, of Menlo Park, Calif., badged into Microsoft’s Mountain View office at 7:50 p.m. on Aug. 19 – and was found face-down in the campus’ courtyard around 2 a.m., his uncle, Manoj Pandey, told the Palo Alto Daily Post. An initial report by the Santa Clara County Medical Examiner indicated he likely suffered a heart attack, according to Satish Chandra, an IT worker and community leader in Santa Clara running for city council. He didn’t have any known health issues leading up to his death, but had told his roommate and colleagues that he was under a lot of stress – juggling multiple projects at the same time, Chandra told the local newspaper. Pandey’s uncle urged tech firms to keep track of employees working late at night and take steps to relieve their anxiety. “That will probably save a life,” he said. “It’s a lot of pain for the family when a loved one passes away.”

Dublin man identified as semi-truck driver killed in crash on interstate ramp in Columbus

Columbus, OH — The Franklin County Coroner’s Office has identified a Dublin man as the tractor-trailer driver who was killed when his semi crashed into a guardrail on an interstate ramp. Hassan Mohamed, 29, was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:35 a.m. Sept. 3, the coroner’s office said. The crash happened at about 10:15 a.m. on the westbound ramp from Interstate 70 to southbound Interstate 270 on the city’s west side, The Dispatch previously reported.

Semi-truck driver killed in Kane County crash

KANAB, Utah (KUTV) — A semi-truck driver was killed in a crash. A 2025 Kenworth semi-truck hauling wood chips was traveling northbound on US-89 when it left the roadway just after 12:45 p.m. on Monday. It went through rough terrain and was stopped abruptly by an embankment. According to Utah Highway Patrol spokesperson Lt. Cameron Roden, the semi-trailer overtook the truck-tractor and dislodged the cab body. The cab then struck an unattended vehicle parked on the shoulder. “The sole occupant of the semi was obviously fatal to first responders,” Roden said. The owner of the unattended vehicle was nearby and responded to the scene of the crash.

Boulder crushes man to death at Westmoreland Co. quarry

Westmoreland County, IN — An Indiana man is dead after he was crushed by a boulder Tuesday afternoon in Westmoreland County. The accident happened at Heidelberg Materials Torrance Quarry. Police are investigating what led up to the accident that killed 61-year-old James Gershman who was working in a mine shaft when he was crushed by the rock.

Nurse in Dearborn develops symptoms, dies years after tuberculosis exposure

DEARBORN, Mich. — The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) shared a notice on Thursday that a 64-year-old nurse in Dearborn died from tuberculosis after initially being exposed to it back in 2017. The nurse died back in April of 2025. Her 2017 exposure to tuberculosis happened through patient care, according to MIOSHA. The nurse was tested for tuberculosis following the exposure and tested negative. After that, they continued working as a nurse until March 9, 2025, when they began feeling ill and developing symptoms. That same day, they were admitted to a hospital and tested positive for tuberculosis. On April 22, the nurse died due to complications from tuberculosis. The nurse’s employer’s infectious disease specialist investigated, along with the health department, and found the tuberculosis strain that killed the nurse matched genetically with the 2017 exposure. MISOHA said this indicates the infection was occupational, and not acquired through community exposure. Making the nurse’s death the 26th recorded Michigan worker death of 2025.

Man killed in skid steer accident identified

Galen, NY — A Seneca County man was killed in an equipment accident in Galen on Tuesday, Sept. 2, according to the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office. The fatal incident occurred around noon at a property along Clyde Hunts Corners Road in Galen, when a skid steer fell on John Thoms Jr., deputies said. Thoms was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies are investigating the incident. Further details were not released.

Man dies while working on industrial machine in Trussville

TRUSSVILLE, Ala. (WBRC) – Authorities say a man has died following an industrial incident in Trussville Tuesday morning. Lt. Clint Riner with the Trussville Police Department says officers and firefighters were dispatched to the 7500 block of Commerce Circle at about 8:34 a.m. 29 year old Edgar Earl Davis IV died of blunt force injuries, according to the Jefferson County coroner. Lt. Clint Riner of the Trussville Police Department said Davis was repairing an issue with a cement mixer while inside the machine when he suffered blunt for trauma.

Worker at NH storage facility dies after being pinned under golf cart

Marlborough, NH — A man was killed when a golf cart he was driving overturned and pinned him at a New Hampshire storage facility, police said Thursday. Police and fire officials from Marlborough responded just before noon to Extra Space Storage. An employee at a nearby motel called 911 to report the rollover and entrapment. Officers freed the pinned man and tried to save him, using an AED. He was transported to Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, where he was pronounced dead. The Marlborough Police Department identified the man as 62-year-old Iain Walton of Peterborough, an employee of the storage facility who was working alone at the time. Investigators believe Walton was trying to make a three-point turn when the golf cart rolled over an edge and down a steep embankment. He was not wearing a seat belt, and the vehicle was in neutral, police said.

Safety service patrol worker struck and killed on I-95 near Dumfries

Dumfries, VA — A safety service patrol worker was struck and killed Saturday night helping a motorist on Interstate 95 in Prince William County. The fatal crash occurred at 7:58 p.m. in the northbound lanes at the 151 mile marker near Dumfries. The safety patroller, contracted by the Virginia Department of Transportation, was assisting a disabled Audi on the right shoulder and travel lane of the interstate, according to state police. A Chrysler 300 Sedan lost control, crossed all lanes of travel, and struck both the patroller and the Audi driver, Virginia State Police spokesman Matthew Demlein said in a news release. The patroller was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died of his injuries, Demlein said.

Truck driver killed in early morning crash on U.S. 27 in Taylor County

Taylor County, FL — A truck driver was killed in an early morning crash on U.S. 27 in Taylor County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The wreck happened just before 5 a.m., about two miles east of Connell Cemetery Road. Investigators say the tractor trailer was heading west when, for reasons still under investigation, it veered off the roadway and struck a tree. The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead on scene. Troopers said the driver – a 57-year-old man from Mayo – was wearing a seatbelt; next of kin have been notified. FHP does not identify crash victims in news releases.

Construction worker hit and killed by towed dump trailer in northern San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — A 23-year-old construction worker was hit and killed by a towed dump trailer Wednesday in the Black Mountain Ranch area. The incident occurred at a construction site in the 16000 block of Sunny Summit Drive, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office. Local medical officials say Francisco Gezaid Rodriguez Nunez was working at the construction site when he stepped off the side rail of a concrete truck and was struck by the towed dump trailer. First responders were called to the scene and took him to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido where he was pronounced dead later that day due to blunt force injuries of the body.

36-year-old Mississippi truck driver killed in Alabama crash

Camden, AL — A 36-year-old Mississippi truck driver was killed in a crash in Alabama. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency reports that JoColby M. Holder, 36, of Hattiesburg, was killed in a wreck on Alabama 21, 15 miles east of Camden in Wilcox County. Holder was driving a 2022 Peterbilt tractor-trailer when the semi left the roadway and overturned. Trending Mississippi authorities actively searching for ‘armed and dangerous’ shooting suspect ‘Armed and dangerous’ man wanted in two separate homicides over two days arrested at Mississippi hotel First responders to the scene found Holder had already died from his injuries. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

1 dead, 1 injured after semis collide on I-90 near North Bend

North Bend, WA — A log truck driver died Wednesday following a collision with a semitruck on Interstate 90 near North Bend, according to the Washington State Patrol. The semitruck was traveling west near exit 32 around 12:45 p.m. when a tire blew and caused the semi to collide with the log truck traveling in another lane, Trooper Rick Johnson said. The collision caused the log truck to roll into a nearby field. Eastside Fire & Rescue transported the drivers to hospitals with life-threatening injuries. The log truck driver, 38, of Port Angeles, died at Harborview Medical Center. The other driver, 57, of Longview, was taken to Overlake Medical Center. Two lanes of westbound I-90 closed for about four hours as crews worked to clear the wreck. A westbound on-ramp at 436th Avenue Southeast remained closed into the evening.

New employee, 17, shot in targeted attack at NY barbershop

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. (PIX11) – A 17-year-old employee was shot in the back inside a Middletown barbershop on Wednesday, according to authorities. Police said it happened at 6 West Barbershop on West Main Street around 5:15 p.m. The boy was working when a man wearing all black with a mask on walked into the shop, according to authorities. Police said that the man immediately fired several rounds from a handgun. The victim was shot three times in the back, according to authorities. Police said the suspect fled the barbershop on a black electric scooter on South Street. The scooter was later found on Washington Avenue near Prospect Avenue, according to authorities. Police believe the victim was the intended target of the shooting, as there were others inside the barbershop when the shooting happened, but none were shot at or injured. The victim was taken to a local hospital, according to authorities.

Man killed in stabbing, another slashed in Brooklyn IHOP

EAST NEW YORK, Brooklyn, NY — An IHOP employee was killed and another person injured during an assault inside of an IHOP in Brooklyn late Friday night, according to authorities. A 67-year-old employee was stabbed in the torso while another 41-year-old man was slashed in the hand around 10:39 p.m. at 11000 Flatlands Avenue in East New York, police announced on Saturday morning. The 67-year-old Brooklyn resident was pronounced dead after being taken to a local hospital, officials said. It was not immediately clear what may have led up to the stabbing as police continue to investigate the incident.

Employee killed, multiple injured in shooting at Las Vegas gym

Las Vegas, NV — A gunman entered a Las Vegas Athletic Club on Friday and shot multiple people, killing one and injuring several others. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a news release they arrived at the gym Friday afternoon after receiving reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, police said the suspected gunman exited the gym and tried to run past the officers, leading them to fire at the suspect. After they took him into custody, the suspect was rendered medical aid. He died later at a nearby hospital, police said. It is unclear what the gunman’s motive was. Police did not release his identity. Inside the gym, police found one deceased shooting victim and two others with injuries, one in critical condition. On Saturday, the Las Vegas Athletic Club identified the deceased victim as one of its employees, Edgar Quinonez, in a post on X.