How Workers died last week: Snowplowing, falls, forklift, train, carbon monoxide, helicopter, drowning, trash compacter, vehicle incidents, carbon monoxide poisoning 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.
Lee County school resource officer killed while directing traffic
LEE COUNTY, MS —
A Lee County school resource officer was killed while directing traffic on Monday. Sheriff Jim Johnson reports that the incident occurred in front of Shannon Elementary School in the afternoon and involved two vehicles. The victim, identified as 52-year-old Rick Haggard, is said to have been hit during the wreck. The crash that caused Haggard’s death is under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol and the Shannon Police Department. Haggard’s tragic passing is not the first of its kind to be reported at Shannon Elementary School. Back in 2022, officer Johnny Patterson was hit by a vehicle and killed.
Snowplow driver struck and killed on the job in Virginia
LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A Virginia family mourns a snowplow driver struck and killed on the job. Northern Virginia Bureau reporter Drew Wilder spoke to the family. Juan Carlos Ferman, 38, of Centreville, was working on Route 7 at the border of Loudoun and Clarke counties when his truck, fitted with a plow and carrying road salt, was struck and flipped Monday evening. His family is in disbelief. A person in the truck that struck Ferman was “treated for minor injuries at a hospital,” the sheriff’s office said.
Worker dies after falling 20 feet inside Fort Worth warehouse Tuesday
FORT WORTH, TX — A worker died Tuesday afternoon after falling 20 feet inside an industrial building in Fort Worth, officials with the Fort Worth police and fire departments said. The call came in at 2:07 p.m. to a warehouse in the 1000 block of Old Burleson Road near Risinger Road in south Fort Worth, fire department officials said. The man fell from a catwalk inside the building and died at the scene, according to Star-Telegram media partner WFAA-TV. He was already dead when firefighters arrived, a department spokesperson told WFAA. The man’s identity was not immediately released.
Male Cook Died In Olive Garden Horror
WILLIAMSPORT, PA — An Olive Garden employee died from burn injuries he suffered after thrusting his head into a deep fryer in what police have categorized as a suicide attempt. The harrowing incident occurred Friday afternoon at the Williamsport, Pennsylvania restaurant where the decedent worked as a cook. In a brief phone conversation, a manager at the Olive Garden–which closed for a couple of days after the incident–said, “We are not able to disclose anything due to our privacy laws.” After the initial ambulance crew arrived, a second unit was sent to the restaurant to treat a female worker who suffered minor burns. The woman was injured as workers–and at least one patron–struggled with the male cook in an attempt to stop him from suffering additional self-inflicted burns. The Olive Garden worker was rushed to a local hospital, but later succumbed to his injuries.
Dump truck driver killed during flat tire repair on Dolphin Expressway: FHP
MIAMI, FL — A dump truck driver was killed after a flat tire led to his death on the Dolphin Expressway in Miami-Dade on Wednesday morning, officials said. The incident happened around 10:20 a.m. when the dump truck became disabled due to a flat tire in the westbound lanes of the expressway near Northwest 137th Avenue, Florida Highway Patrol officials said. The driver contacted a mobile repair service and while the service provider was inflating the tire, the tire ruptured and struck the driver, officials said. Officials said the driver was killed at the scene. His identity hasn’t been released. The incident remains under investigation.
Ariz. DPS helicopter crash kills pilot, trooper/paramedic during active shooter response
FLAGSTAFF, AZ — An Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter crashed in an accident that killed the pilot and a trooper/paramedic on board, after they responded to a gun battle between police and a suspect who fired on officers from multiple rooftops over almost two hours, authorities said Thursday. No one else was injured. The names of the pilot and trooper, who was also a paramedic, were later revealed to be Robert Skankey and Hunter Bennett, respectively.
Driver killed after box truck hit by Amtrak train near Lemont
LEMONT, IL — One person was killed after an Amtrak train hit a vehicle near southwest suburban Lemont. The train struck a cargo box truck at a crossing on a private road for a business just east of Lemont. The cab of the truck was sheared off and dragged about a quarter mile along the track. The truck driver was killed in the crash. An outbound train on the Metra Heritage Corridor was delayed on Wednesday evening due to the crash. Metra said the halted train began moving again around 5:15 p.m.
Man dies after being run over by a forklift at RV dealership in Alachua County, officers say
ALACHUA COUNTY, FL — The Alachua Police Department on Feb. 5 reported a fatal commercial accident involving a forklift at Blue Compass RV. According to the APD social media post, calls reporting a critically injured employee at Blue Compass RV, 12380 NW U.S. Highway 441, were reported at 11:10 a.m. Officers arrived on scene five minutes later. The employee was transported by Alachua County Fire Rescue to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville where he was pronounced dead. APD reported that “the employee was riding alongside a large outdoor forklift, jumped off, and was subsequently run over.” The identity of the employee has not been released. The incident remains under investigation.
Man found dead inside trash compactor at Shaker Heights CVS
SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH (WOIO) — A contractor working at a CVS was found dead inside a trash compactor Wednesday evening. The man has been identified as Andrew Strand, 34, of Brunswick. Shaker Heights Police Commander John Cole said Strand’s wife called them just before 10 p.m. Wednesday. She told officers she became concerned when she hadn’t heard from her husband and tracked his phone to the CVS in the 17000 block of Chagrin Blvd. According to Commander Cole, the wife told officers her husband was performing contract work at the facility. Officers searched the property and found Strand inside the trash compactor at the rear of the property. Commander Cole added the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation and the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner is determining the cause and manner of death.
DA identifies man who drowned in frigid waters of New Bedford Harbor near ship he worked on
NEW BEDFORD, MA — Authorities have identified a shipyard worker who recently drowned in the frigid waters of New Bedford Harbor. The drowning victim, identified Thursday as 51-year-old Jason Vasquez, of New Bedford, was discovered by the New Bedford Police Department’s Marine Unit on Jan. 31, according to the Bristol District Attorney’s Office. The DA’s office noted that Vasquez, who worked on a vessel at the New Bedford Shipyard and Shoreline, was last seen on Jan. 28. His boss reported him missing two days later after his vehicle was found in the parking lot of the shipyard. Investigators noted Vasquez was found a short distance from the vessel he worked on. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the DA’s office are assisting New Bedford Police with the investigation.
3 people killed in car crash inside Westwood grocery store identified
WESTWOOD, CA — Los Angeles authorities Friday released the identities of the three people who were killed Thursday when a car rammed into a grocery store in Westwood. Two of the deceased were employees of the 99 Ranch Market on Westwood Boulevard and Rochester Avenue, according to officials. The third victim was a customer, shopping at the bakery section of the supermarket when he was fatally struck by the car. Authorities said the shopper was 28-year-old Zih Dao. A family member told NBC Los Angeles her cousin was one of the grocery store employees. Originally from Mexico, Leonel Mateo, 52, left behind two children after he died in the crash, according to Rocio Alvarado. Another employee was identified as 42-year-old Deris Renoj, an immigrant from Guatemala.
Carbon monoxide killed Staten Island veterinarian
STATEN ISLAND, NY — A Staten Island veterinarian died from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning while operating on a dog inside a mobile clinic van in Queens, according to the New York Daily News. Dr. Ashraf Hussein, 56 of Eltingville, was found dead inside the van on Feb. 1, which had been parked beside a large snowbank in Flushing, and the dog he was operating on also did not survive. The Daily News said the city’s medical examiner confirmed the cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning on Thursday. The medical examiner’s office has not responded to a request for comment. The clinic’s owner, 73‑year‑old Garo Alexanian, was discovered unconscious outside after a witness called 911, Advance/SILive.com previously reported. Alexanian later told a bystander, according to the report, that he and Hussein had been trapped in the poorly ventilated van for hours before he managed to escape and collapse on the sidewalk. Investigators believe the exhaust pipe may have become clogged with snow, filling the van with deadly fumes, according to the outlet. Hussein, who worked for the mobile clinic for more than 15 years, was described by his wife, 46-year-old Marwa Mansour, as a devoted veterinarian who loved animals deeply.
Camden firefighter who died after falling into icy Delaware River identified
CAMDEN, NJ (WPVI) — A firefighter from the Camden Fire Department has died after he fell into the icy waters of the Delaware River late Thursday morning. It happened around 11 a.m. during a routine maintenance check of a fire boat, officials said. The Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ) identified the firefighter as 61-year-old Howard Bennett. Bennett was in the water for approximately 30 minutes. Fellow firefighters were right there, surrounding him, doing everything they could in a frantic rescue effort. He was eventually pulled from the river and taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead. It’s still unclear how Bennett fell into the water. No other injuries were reported in the incident.
Local Man Dies in Workplace Accident
SCHULENBERG, TX — A 60-year-old man died in a workplace accident at the Contech Engineered Solutions plant in Schulenburg on Monday. Schulenburg Police Chief Troy Brenek said the man died when a 5,000 lb. spool of metal fell and crushed him against another spool. Brenek said the accident happened shortly before 12:17 p.m. The deceased is Craig Steven Rainosek, 60 of Schulenburg. The Contech plant in Schulenburg builds culvert pipes. The plant is located on the far east side of Schulenburg on Oakland Rd. According to his obituary, Rainosek leaves behind a wife, daughter, son and two grandchildren.
N.J. trooper dies from medical condition caused by on-duty injury
TRENTON, NJ — A 48-year-old New Jersey State Police trooper died due to a medical condition that stemmed from a work-related injury on Wednesday. Sgt. 1st Class Sean Acker served with the State Police for more than 19 years and was a married father of two. In February 2022, Acker suffered a severe injury and was hospitalized for three weeks in a critical-care unit before he transitioned to a long-term rehabilitation facility, State Police said in a statement in April 2024. The statement did not provide details of the injury. In addition to his wife, Acker is survived by his two children, Connor and Samantha.
Construction worker killed in workplace accident in Idabel
IDABEL, OK (KXII) — A construction worker died on Thursday after falling victim to a workplace accident in Idabel. Ryan Moore, 23, of Heavner died in the accident. The accident happened on Thursday, February 5, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. They say Moore was disassembling a counterweight off the back of an excavator when it fell and struck him. OHP has given no further details regarding the accident.
‘They were good people:’ Community mourns siblings found dead in Apopka store
APOPKA, FL – A shocking and mysterious death investigation in Apopka has left a community searching for answers. Police said two victims were found dead inside Griffin’s General Store in Apopka Friday evening, and investigators are still working to figure out what happened and why. Family members and customers who knew the victims, say they were siblings and one worked at the store who say the loss is devastating. Detectives said it is still not clear whether the incident involved a homicide or a possible murder-suicide. News 6 Orange County Community Correspondent Jarell Baker spoke with the father of one victim’s three children off camera, who confirmed his ex-wife worked at the shop. Several people, like Stanley, are honoring her memory with candles, balloons, and more outside the store.
Philadelphia worker dies while removing snow following recent winter storm
PHILADELPHIA, PA — A Philadelphia city worker who died suddenly while working through the city’s biggest snowstorm in 10 years was laid to rest Friday. District Council 33 President Greg Boulware said Timothy Sapp Sr., who was a longtime member of the union, died on Jan. 28 while on shift as a heavy equipment operator clearing streets in Philadelphia. Boulware said Sapp, an army veteran, had been with the Philadelphia Streets Department for 28 years and was operating a snowplow and front loader to clear city streets. He didn’t know the exact cause of Sapp’s death but said he had reported shortness of breath.
BANK OF AMERICA EMPLOYEE MURDERED ON THE JOB, SUSPECT ARRESTED
CHARLOTTE, NC — Ina Lang, 50, is the Bank of America employee that was murdered on the job at the Bank of America located at Callabridge Court Charlotte, NC. The murder was on February 6, 2026 in the Bank of America parking lot. Samon Smith, 22, is charged with Ina’s murder. A number of people in Charlotte have been killed on the job. Ina was going into work when she was brutally shot and killed in the parking lot at Bank of America. Ina died on scene. Samon was detained as a person of interest, he was later arrested charged with murder on February 6th. The circumstances surrounding Ina’s murder are not known yet.
Truck driver dead after crash near Bellevue late Friday night
CLAY COUNTY, TX (KAUZ) — One man is dead following a late-night crash on 287 near Bellevue. According to Texas DPS Sgt. Juan Gutierrez, a 2025 Freightliner driven by 34-year-old Sandeep Singh, from Manteca, California, failed to maintain a single lane and drifted to the right while traveling northwest on U-S 287 near Belknap Creek Road. The semi-truck went up an embankment and struck a railroad car on the tracks, then rolled onto its left side. Singh was pronounced dead on the scene. The crash remains under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol.
Name released in fatal I-94 crash near Black River Falls
JACKSON COUNTY, WI (WEAU)— The Wisconsin State Patrol is giving an update after a fatal crash involving a commercial motor vehicle brought traffic to a standstill on Interstate 94 westbound Saturday afternoon near Black River Falls. The person who died in the crash is identified as 58-year-old Russell Back of Mondovi, WI. There was a second CMV in the vicinity of the crash when it occurred but it did not stop. That CMV was located by Troopers near Menomonie and identified. The extent of the second CMV’s involvement remains under investigation.
Spectrum worker found dead in Hardin County
HARDIN COUNTY, TN — A utility worker was found deceased in Hardin County over the weekend while working to restore service lines following the ice storm damage the county suffered. According to Hardin County Sheriff Johnny Alexander, James Garbo, 42 was working at a home on Mulberry Lane in Adamsville on Saturday, February 7 when the woman living in the residence realized she had not seen him in some time. The homeowner went to check on him at approximately 11 a.m., according to Alexander, and found Garbo deceased beside his work van. The cause of death has not been determined. The body has been sent to the coroner for an autopsy.