How workers died last week: Trench collapse, skid steer, fork lift, coal mining, fall, shootings and vehicle incidents. 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.
Spur city employee killed in utility trench cave-in
SPUR, Texas (KCBD) – An employee for the city of Spur died in a cave-in at a utility trench on Wednesday afternoon, according to a report from The Texas Spur. The Texas Spur says the cave-in happened just before 2 p.m. at a trench near Carroll Avenue and 5th Street within the city limits. Volunteer firefighters, Dickens EMS, and the Dickens County Sheriff’s Office all responded to the scene, but the worker died from his injuries. Spur Mayor John Schmidt and Dickens County Judge Kevin Brendle have expressed their condolences.
Coal miner dies at Lower War Eagle Mine in Wyoming County
CYCLONE, W.Va. (WCHS) — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a coal miner died in Wyoming County Thursday. In a social media post, the governor stated the death occurred at the Lower War Eagle Mine in Cyclone, W.Va., prompting a response from state investigators. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. Thursday, and has been classified as a “Powered Haulage” accident. MSHA defines powered haulage as equipment such as shuttle cars, scoops, locomotives and front end loaders. There have been eight coal mine fatalities nationwide this year, according to MSHA. Six took place in West Virginia. Another happened in Ohio and another in Pennsylvania. Three of West Virginia’s six deaths have occurred in the past six weeks.
Delight man killed in forklift accident
PIKE COUNTY, Arkansas — A Delight man died Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in an accident at a local business. The Pike County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call around 4:27 p.m. stating that a man had fallen out of a basket that was being lifted by a forklift at an Antioch Street business, according to a report filed by PCSO Criminal Investigator Jason McDonald. First responders requested officers and, upon arrival, the victim, Randy Doy Woodall, 68, of Delight, was found to be deceased. Woodall had reportedly been working inside a warehouse at Diamond City Trailers and was measuring for some piping when the incident occurred. Witnesses at the scene said Woodall walked to the side of the basket, causing it to tip over. He fell to the floor and struck his head, and the basket then fell on top of him, the report states. Woodall was an electrician by trade, according to his obituary.
Barron truck driver killed in Tennessee
Nashville, TN — A Barron man was killed in an accident while driving a semi-truck in Tennessee on Monday, Dec. 8. Bolton Bolton James Harry-Algeo, 31,was killed in a single-vehicle crash just before midnight on I-24 West near the I-40 split, according to the Nashville Police Department.
Construction worker dies near The Rim after falling from scaffolding
SAN ANTONIO, TX – One construction worker is dead after falling from scaffolding Thursday afternoon near The Rim, according to the San Antonio Fire Department. The man fell after suffering a heart attack around 4:30 p.m. in the 5700 block of Rim Pass, a department spokesperson said. Medics attempted to resuscitate the man, SAFD said, but the man was pronounced dead. He has since been identified as 45-year-old Emilio Macareno-Rodriguez. A KENS 5 crew on the scene observed heavy equipment picking up a lift that had apparently toppled over.
United Airlines employee killed on the job at DIA
DENVER, CO — An employee for United Airlines has died after an accident at the Denver International Airport overnight Thursday into Friday. A spokesperson for United Airlines confirmed that a facilities maintenance technician “was involved in a vehicle accident at work that resulted in his death.” Details about what vehicles were involved or how the crash happened have not been released.
Driver killed after train hits UPS truck near Burrton, identified
RENO COUNTY, Kan. (KWCH) – The Reno County Sheriff’s Office has identified the driver who died after a train hitting a UPS truck on the tracks on Tuesday as Darick Hutchinson. The accident happened around 3 p.m. near the intersection of Highway 50 and South Woodberry Road, near Burrton, on the Reno County side of the Reno/Harvey County line. Reno County Sheriff Darrian Campbell said the train was traveling northwest and the UPS truck was “kind of southwest” in the moments leading up to the collision. Campbell said the train, powered by two engines, carried 54 cars. Neither the engineer nor conductor on board were injured. Navarro was the only person in the UPS vehicle.
‘Cherished’ nurse fatally struck by car outside Sacramento VA Medical Center
RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. — A nurse died after being struck by a vehicle in the parking lot of the Sacramento VA Medical Center earlier this month, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said. The collision happened on Dec. 13 when a driver was pulling into a parking lot near the entrance to the emergency room and struck the pedestrian, Sgt. Amar Gandhi said, speaking on behalf of Rancho Cordova police. The woman fell and struck her head on the pavement. She was initially taken inside the VA’s emergency room but was transferred to UC Davis Medical Center because of the seriousness of her injuries, Gandhi said. UC Davis Health identified the woman as Novyrose Mejia, a nurse within their health network.
Sheriff identifies man who died after workplace accident in Moorhead
MOORHEAD, Minn. (KVRR) – The man who died after a workplace accident in Moorhead has been identified as a 51-year-old Fargo man. Clay County Sheriff Mark Empting says a preliminary investigation indicates Stacy Martin was working with a lift axle on a truck when a temporary weld failed, causing the axle to fall onto his chest and abdominal area. Empting says Martin was conscious and speaking with deputies before being he was taken to Sanford by ambulance, but lost consciousness and died after arriving at the emergency room. The incident
71-Year-Old Truck Driver Killed in Crash on I-295 Near Commonwealth Ave
Jacksonville, FL – A deadly crash involving a semi-truck shut down a northbound lane of Interstate 295 near Commonwealth Ave on Wednesday morning, resulting in the death of the truck’s driver, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred just south of Pritchard Rd in the outside lane of I-295 North. FHP reports that the driver of the semi-truck, a 71-year-old man, lost control of the vehicle and veered off the roadway. The truck then struck a light pole before continuing into a grassy ditch and crashing into several trees before coming to a stop. Emergency responders from Jacksonville arrived on the scene and transported the driver to a nearby hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Person run over by skid steer at Oklahoma City construction site dies
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — A person was run over by a skid steer while working in northwest Oklahoma City on Thursday, fire officials told KOCO 5. Joshua Gunville-Quach, a 34-year-old construction worker, was killed after being run over by equipment at a construction site in northwest Oklahoma City, leaving behind three young children. The incident happened in a new neighborhood being constructed in the area of Northwest 196th Street near North May Avenue. The Oklahoma City Fire Department was on the scene. Oklahoma City police officials said officers responded to the area just before noon after receiving a 911 call about the incident. Sky 5 flew over the scene, and police officials confirmed that the workplace incident was fatal. Police officials said they are not investigating the death because it was an industrial accident. Officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed on Thursday they were investigating the incident and that the agency has up to 6 months to complete an investigation. More here.
Hudson Valley Firefighter Dies During Wilderness Rescue
Hudson Valley, NY — A Hudson Valley firefighter died over the weekend while attempting to help a distressed hiker. On December 13 at 5:26pm, the Phoenicia Fire District was dispatched to the Town of Shandaken for a report of an injured hiker. A crew from the Phoenicia Fire Department entered the trail, traveling roughly one-half mile into a wooded area to locate the hiker. While operating in the wooded area, Firefighter and Fire District Commissioner Michael J. Ryan suffered a sudden medical emergency and went into cardiac arrest. Fellow Phoenicia firefighters began life-saving measures right away. They were joined by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers, the Shandaken Police Department, and Shandaken EMS. Crews worked together in challenging terrain, doing everything possible to help him. Despite those efforts, Firefighter and Commissioner Michael J. Ryan passed away.
Dedicated Maryland Store Worker Dies After Medical Emergency On Sales Floor
Elkton, MD — Joe McClurkin, a dedicated member of the Bryans Road Building & Supply team, died after suffering a medical event while working on the sales floor in Bryans Road on Saturday, Dec. 13, according to friends and loved ones. The store confirmed it closed early that day after the incident, citing the shock felt by employees who witnessed the emergency.
Truck driver killed while standing outside semi in Springdale
City of SPRINGDALE, Ohio (WXIX) -A truck driver was killed early Wednesday morning after being hit by a sedan while standing outside a semi-tractor trailer in the City of Springdale, according to Kyla Woods, a spokesperson with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. Woods says at around 12:30 a.m., 36-year-old Lakhwinder Singh Duggal, who works for a trucking company, was making pickups and deliveries at the US Postal Service Distribution facility at 12000 Northwest Boulevard. According to Woods, his truck was parked in the center of a left-turn lane, waiting to enter the facility when the crash occurred. Duggal was taken to UC West Chester Hospital, where he died from injuries, according to Woods.
Salvation Army bell ringer killed outside Kroger store in Westland
Westland, MI — The fatal shooting of a Salvation Army bell ringer Thursday evening outside a Kroger grocery store in Westland is under investigation, with police saying late Friday morning that a suspect had been arrested. The suspect’s identity, police said, was being withheld until his arraignment. But police said the shooting was “not a random occurrence,” and that the victim and suspect knew each other prior to this incident.” Authorities did not disclose additional details about how the two men were connected — or offer a motive.
WSP trooper killed while investigating crash on SR 509 near Port of Tacoma
Tacoma, Washington — A Washington State Patrol trooper was killed Friday evening while investigating a crash along State Route 509 in Tacoma, the agency confirmed. The Washington State Patrol said Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting, 29, was standing outside her patrol vehicle while looking into a two-vehicle collision when she was struck by another vehicle just before 7:30 p.m.
Local family mourns fast food manager killed on the job
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Thumbing through pictures on his cell phone, Takari Mason appeared disappointed. “I wish that I had taken more pictures with my brother,” that’s what Mason said three days after his brother, 31-year-old Dewand McGowan was shot and killed at the Wendy’s fast food restaurant in the 1400 block of Warwick Blvd. When asked if he could think of anyone who would want to hurt his brother, Takari Mason said, “I couldn’t even think of nobody. They. Everybody loved (him). I don’t know about no enemies. I’ve never heard about nobody not liking them. None of that. Really, I have no idea. About four hours before closing time Tuesday night, someone shot and killed McGowan who was a Wendy’s manager. The next morning, crews were still on the scene cleaning the building. Two years ago, the brothers’ mother, Kyna McGowan was shot and killed on Madison Avenue in Newport News.
Man Killed After Fall From Tree In Lusby
LUSBY, Md. — A 21-year-old man was killed Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, after falling from a tree while performing cutting work in a residential area of Lusby. Emergency crews were dispatched at about 11:35 a.m. to the 600 block of Grenada Lane following reports of a serious fall. Initial 911 calls indicated the man had fallen over 18 feet from a tree during a tree-cutting accident. First responders arrived to find the victim with critical injuries and began CPR. A Maryland State Police helicopter was requested but later canceled after the victim was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. Police said the death remains under investigation.
Traffic worker killed in I-95 semi truck crash
Mims, FL — FHP said a CMTI truck – a truck with a video screen that helps direct traffic with illuminated arrows – was assisting with traffic flow due to a vehicle fire near mile marker 228 in Mims. A semi-truck failed to slow down or move over and hit the back of the CMTI truck, FHP said. The crash was reportedly around 9 a.m. There were two people inside the CMTI truck: a driver and a passenger. The driver of the CMTI truck died at the scene. The passenger was transported to the hospital with serious injuries, FHP said. FHP said the semi-truck driver, a 63-year-old man from Orlando, was not hurt and taken to the hospital.CMTI is a contractor for the Florida Department of Transportation, FHP said.
One Killed in Multi-Semi Crash on I-10 Near Milepost 79
Tonopah, AZ (December 20, 2025) — A deadly multi-vehicle crash involving several semi-trucks claimed one life on Interstate 10 west of Phoenix on December 18. The collision occurred in the eastbound lanes near milepost 79, close to the Tonopah area, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety. DPS troopers responded to the scene after receiving reports of a serious commercial vehicle crash. When they arrived, they found multiple semi-trucks involved, including one tractor-trailer that had rolled over in the roadway. Investigators said a second semi-truck approached the scene and managed to stop to avoid striking the overturned vehicle. Moments later, a third semi-truck collided with the stopped truck. The force of that impact proved fatal for the driver of the third truck. Emergency crews pronounced the third semi driver dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet released the victim’s identity, pending notification of next of kin. The crash impact pushed the second semi-truck into the overturned vehicle. As a result, the driver of the second semi suffered injuries. Paramedics transported that driver to a hospital for treatment. Officials have not released details about the driver’s condition.