Clocking in for The Final Shift: The Weekly Toll

How workers died last week: Coal mine death, electrocutions, CO2 fire suppression system discharge, steamroller, trench collapse, vehicular collisions, shootings, fall, equipment malfunction.

On average, almost 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.

Ocala man killed in steamroller accident in Lake County, FHP says

LAKE COUNTY, FL — A 35-year-old Ocala man was killed in an incident involving a steamroller Monday just after 11:30 a.m. in Lake County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A construction streamroller was being operated on private property in the area of County Road 455 and Hancock Road, FHP said. The operator became stuck underneath the steamroller after it overturned. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers said this happened when he attempted to traverse up an embankment. The crash remains under investigation.

Worker killed after retaining wall collapse on South Side identified

SAN ANTONIO, TX — A construction worker was killed after a retaining wall collapsed into the excavated trench below crushing him at a North American Silica Sand work site on the city’s South Side. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office said workers were building a retaining wall when it collapsed on the man. Workers attempted to rescue the man, who became trapped under a large amount of dirt. Despite these efforts, the man was pronounced deceased by emergency medical personnel at the scene. The victim was identified as Leandro Castro, 63, by the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Semi-Truck Driver Killed In Fiery Crash, I-805 Shut Down For Hours In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — A fiery big rig crash shut down a stretch of Interstate 805 Tuesday, leaving the driver dead and commuters stuck in gridlock. The southbound tractor-trailer veered off the roadway and slammed into a row of crash-cushion barrels shortly after 6 a.m. near the transition to Interstate 8, just south of Friars Road, according to the California Highway Patrol. Flames fully engulfed the semi-truck at the freeway transition, and crews worked to extinguish the flames, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The trucker died at the scene of the crash, CHP Officer Michael Wessendorf said. The victim’s name was withheld pending family notification.

Kentucky man dies from electrocution while installing fiber cable in Harlan County

HARLAN COUNTY, KY — A 19-year-old Kentucky man is dead following an incident that occurred while he was installing fiber cables in a bucket truck in Harlan County, county officials said Tuesday afternoon. According to the Harlan County Sheriff’s Office, at 10:19 a.m., deputies were dispatched to a work related incident in the Homes Mill community. The sheriff’s office said the Cloverfork Fire Department, Lifeguard Ambulance Service and Kentucky Utilities also responded to the scene of the accident, that involved power lines. Roughly two hours later, Deputy Coroner Gene Fisher pronounced one person dead at 12:37 p.m. The Harlan County Coroner’s Office reported just before 4 p.m. identified the person who died as Bryson K. Cottongim, 18, of Manchester. 6 News’ media partner, WRIL, reported that Cottongim was a third-party Apex contractor and was installing cable for HCTV in Harlan. The coroner’s office said Cottongim died from injuries he received while installing fiber cable in an elevated position in a bucket truck. The incident is under investigation by the Harlan County Sheriff’s Office.

Coroner IDs man killed in Rivian warehouse industrial accident

NORMAL, IL — The McLean County Coroner identified the man who died after he was pinned between a semi-truck trailer and a loading dock at the Rivian Automotive warehouse in Normal Thursday afternoon. Coroner Kathy Yoder said the victim, 61-year-old Kevin Lancaster, died from multiple blunt traumatic compressional injuries from his entrapment. A toxicology report is underway. It happened at 1:40 p.m. Thursday when emergency crews were called to the warehouse at 301 W. Kerrick Road. When firefighters found Lancaster, he had been trapped for at least 20 minutes with critical injuries. Despite the efforts, Normal Police Chief Steve Petrilli and the McLean County Coroner confirmed Lancaster was pronounced dead at 2:33 p.m. It is unclear whether Lancaster was an employee at the warehouse or a contractor.

Fatal Accident Reported At Hillsboro Mine

HILLSBORO, IL — A fatal accident has been reported at the Deer Run Mine in Hillsboro. The Mine Safety & Health Administration, part of the US Department of Labor, reports a machinery accident Thursday, March 5, at 1:20 PM caused a fatality. No further details, including names of anyone involved, has been released at this point. The underground coal mine is owed by Foresight Energy Labor, LLC.

1 man dead, 2 men injured in construction job site shooting in Silverleaf, St. Johns sheriff says

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, FL — A man is dead and two other men were injured after a shooting at a construction site in Silverleaf on Wednesday afternoon, St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick said. The shooting stemmed from an argument that turned physical between co-workers on a construction site, the sheriff said. The suspect, a man who was not identified during the news conference, shot the victim. Two other men were hit as well and were taken to local hospitals, Hardwick said. Their injuries and conditions are not known at this time, Hardwick said. Deputies arrived on scene and performed life-saving measures on the victim, but he died. Hardwick did not identify the victim that died, as deputies were still notifying the victim’s next of kin. The suspect had left in a vehicle with his brother, Hardwick said.

One dead after incident at industrial waste disposal facility

CAMPBELL, Ohio (WKBN) – A man has died following an incident at a local industrial site. Police were called to Belmont Solids Control, an affiliate of Bass Environmental, at around 10:45 a.m. Friday for a medical issue. Upon arrival, CPR was being performed on a truck driver identified as Shawn Bennear, 61. The report states that a “strong smell of rotten eggs and chemicals” was in the air, and Bennear had foam coming out of his mouth. An officer administered two doses of naloxone, an opioid-reversal drug, to Bennear, but it had no effect. Another officer stepped in to take over CPR until the Campbell Fire Department arrived and took over lifesaving measures. While first responders performed lifesaving measures on Bennear, officers were told that a 19-year-old man had passed out in front of the building and was treated by EMS and transported to St. Elizabeth Health Center. Bennear was also transported to St. Elizabeth, where he was pronounced dead. Those with the Campbell Fire Department tested the air and discovered “at least five parts per million (PPM) of hydrogen sulfide gas.” According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) website, the recommended exposure limit (REH) is generally 10 PPM for a 10-minute ceiling.

Man found dead in truck in Morena fell off ladder Tuesday, friend says

MORENA, CA — A man who was found dead Wednesday under potentially suspicious circumstances in a Morena-area neighborhood had an on-the-job accident the day prior, a friend told NBC 7. The body was discovered at about 7 a.m. Wednesday in a parked truck in a construction zone in the 1000 block of Donahue Street, just north of Friars Road and east of Napa Street, according to the San Diego Police Department. The man appeared to have suffered some sort of traumatic injury of unknown origin, SDPD Officer Colin Steinbroner said early on Wednesday. A friend of the victim named Jose Luis Salazar, who told NBC 7 it all started Tuesday evening when they came together to finish up a water sealant job in a unit at an apartment complex, said he stayed in the truck while his friend worked. The worker tried to climb a ladder while carrying a vacuum, but he lost his balance and fell off it, according to Salazar.

Worker dies after Industrial accident on docked tugboat in Ludington

MASON COUNTY, MI — An industrial accident that claimed the life of a worker in Ludington has left officials in Traverse City mourning. The victim, identified as Mark Allen, was rushed to the hospital after a medical emergency on the tugboat Undaunted. Allen was later pronounced dead at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital. Authorities say Allen was performing maintenance on the boat’s CO2 fire suppression system when it unexpectedly discharged. The investigation into the cause of the accident continues.

Suspect charged in fatal shooting at American Legion in north Wichita

WICHITA, KS — A suspect has been charged in the shooting death of a 56-year-old man outside the American Legion in north Wichita earlier this week. Sedgwick County court records show 40-year-old Tristan Miles was charged Thursday with intentional and premeditated first-degree murder, an alternative count of first-degree murder in commission of a felony, and criminal discharge of a firearm. He remains jailed on $1 million bond. The shooting happened just after 7:30 p.m. Monday in the parking lot of the American Legion Post 273 in the 1300 block of North Hydraulic. Officer Rick Pena with the Wichita Police Department said the suspect called 911 to report he had shot someone outside the establishment. Police arrived and found Darnell Guiden, an employee of the Legion Post, in a pickup truck in the parking lot. EMS took him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead just before 8 p.m. Chief Joe Sullivan said it’s unknown if the victim and suspect knew each other. Police did not say what led to the shooting.

‘Deadliest Catch’ crew member dies during season’s filming

ANCHORAGE, AK — Todd Meadows, a deckhand on “Deadliest Catch”, died while fishing off the coast of Alaska on Feb. 25. He was working on the Aleutian Lady, one of the main subjects of the Discovery Channel show. On Monday, Aleutian Lady Captain Rick Shelford announced Meadows’ death in a post to Facebook. The U.S. Coast Guard posted an update on Meadows’ death on Tuesday, explaining that he fell overboard roughly 170 miles north of Dutch Harbor around 5 p.m. on Feb. 25.

Sulphur man killed in single-vehicle crash

STEPHENS COUNTY, OK — A Sulphur man was killed in a Stephens County crash Tuesday morning. According to Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers, Johnny Lee Slaughter, 53, was driving northbound on 3030 road, also known as Pinto Road, just south of 1820 road, when the commercial vehicle he was driving went off the side of the road. The vehicle overturned on its side, and the cab was crushed, trapping Slaughter inside. No word on why Slaughter’s vehicle went off the road.

Coast Guard rescue swimmer dies from injuries sustained during rescue call

ASTORIA, OR — A U.S. Coast Guard crew member who was injured during a rescue call last week died. The Coast Guard confirmed Friday that Aviation Survival Technician Tyler Jaggers died. He was critically injured on Feb. 27 during a medical evacuation mission offshore from Cape Flattery, Washington. The Coast Guard did not say how Jaggers was injured. Jaggers was taken to Madigan Army Medical Center where he later died. The Coast Guard said it is conducting an investigation into Jaggers’ death and will release more information when it is available.

Palmyra truck driver killed in early morning thruway crash

ROCHESTER, NY — A 76-year-old Palmyra man has died in a crash on the New York State Thruway early Thursday, authorities said. Robert G. Wells was operating a tractor-trailer westbound on Interstate 90 around 1:25 a.m. when his truck struck the rear of another tractor-trailer hauling an empty car carrier near mile in the town of Westmoreland, Oneida County. Both vehicles were pushed to the shoulder following the collision. Wells was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the car-hauling truck, a 42-year-old man from New Jersey, suffered injuries that were not considered life-threatening and was taken to Wynn Hospital. State Police said the investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.

One dead in Nichols crash

NICHOLS, NY — One person has died after a crash in Tioga County. On March 6, State Police were called to Interstate 86 in Nichols just before 2 a.m. for a 2-vehicle collision. According to the investigation, 21-year-old Kaden T. Watson, of Pennsylvania, went off the roadway and struck a guardrail, disabling his SUV in the right lane. Watson was able to escape his SUV just as a tractor-trailer traveling in the same direction struck his vehicle. The tractor-trailer then slid down an embankment and hit a tree. The driver, a 70-year-old man from Ontario, was found deceased in the truck at the scene. Troopers say Watson was uninjured and did not show any signs of impairment.

Lawton truck driver killed in Kiowa County wreck

CARNEGIE, OK — A Lawton man died from his injuries sustained after crashing a cement mixer truck in southeaster Kiowa County Friday morning. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that Tymiere J. Townsend, 34, died from his injuries at the scene of the wreck about 12 miles southeast of Carnegie. He has been identified as a driver for Lawton Transit Mix. Townsend was traveling westbound on Oklahoma 19 shortly after 9:45 a.m. when the vehicle went off the north side of the roadway before overcorrecting and crossing the highway, Trooper Michael Witt reported. The truck then went off the south side of the roadway and rolled ¼-time onto its driver’s side before coming to rest in a ditch near County Road N. 2410. The driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the wreck.

Long Island crossing guard dies days after being struck by car

MERRICK, NY — A 70-year-old crossing guard, who was hit by a car after helping a child across a busy Long Island highway, has died about a week after the tragic crash, police said Friday. John Miro, 70, of Massaquea, passed away on Friday, police said. Miro was in a struck crash that happened on the corner of Merrick Avenue and Sunrise Highway, south of the LIRR train station in Merrick, just before 8 a.m. on Feb. 26. The driver, 30-year-old Joshua Alvarado of Queens, failed field sobriety tests at the scene, police said. Alvarado was on his way to work when he passed out at a red light, according to investigators. When the light turned green, he did not move. After other drivers honked at him, he woke up and then drove diagonally through the intersection, mounting the curb, police said. Alvarado struck the crossing guard, who was wearing a full reflective uniform at the time, police said. Alvarado then allegedly fell asleep after the crash. During questioning, he allegedly admitted to using drugs the night before, according to court documents. The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of multiple broken ribs, a collapsed lung, brain bleeding, and removal of skull fragments, according to court documents. Alvarado was arrested, and bail was set at $500,000.

Officials identify person killed in deadly Ohio Co. crash

OHIO COUNTY, KY — The Ohio County Sheriff’s identified the person who was killed in the deadly crash that happened Thursday in Ohio County. Officials say 77-year-old Douglas Barnett of Juliet, Illinois died in the accident on the Western Kentucky Parkway. They say Stephen Vanderzwart was the driver in the other truck and he crossed the median, hitting Barnett straight on. The sheriff says a third vehicle was hit by debris from the accident.

Triad agencies, NC political leaders honor Forsyth County deputy killed in the line of duty in crash

FORSYTH COUNTY, NC — The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of their own following a crash, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputy Kaleb Mitchell died Saturday in a crash while in the line of duty. The FCSO also said it will share more information regarding the crash as it becomes available.

Newly promoted Mo. FD shift commander killed in crash while responding to call

BUTLER COUNTY, MO — Fire departments and first responders across the Heartland community are mourning the loss of Butler County Fire Protection District Shift Commander Jackson Warren, who died in a crash on March 6. According to the Missouri Fire Service Funeral Assistance Team, Warren joined the Butler County Fire Protection District on Oct. 18, 2021. He was working his first shift as the district’s newly promoted shift commander when he was killed. WSIL reported that the single-vehicle crash occurred on Highway W while responding to a call.

Bar manager in Acworth says security guard shot, killed breaking up a fight Saturday morning

ACWORTH, GA — Acworth Police says a man died after being shot early Saturday morning while breaking up a fight at a bar on Cowan Road off of I-75. The manager at Saddle Bar says the man who died was not just a customer — he was part of the bar’s security team. The victim was identified as 28-year-old Jordan Alexander Jones of Lawrenceville. Investigators say they have arrested the suspected gunman, identified as Daniel Di Vonne Parsons. Parsons is charged with two counts of aggravated assault and felony murder. The bar had just opened within the last few weeks.

Baltimore City Schools employee found dead inside Arundel Elementary School

BALTIMORE, MD — A Baltimore City Public Schools employee was found dead inside Arundel Elementary School, according to a statement released Monday. Ms. Deborah Tolson, a math interventionist at the school, was discovered Monday. The cause of her death has not been released. In response to the news, students were dismissed early at 10:15 a.m. Monday as the school community began to process the loss. “Serving Baltimore City Public Schools for 23 years, Ms. Tolson was a very beloved member of our school community for seven years. A pillar of the school community, she was beloved by both students and staff,” a letter to the Arundel Elementary community said.

Pennsylvania state police trooper shot and killed in a traffic stop

PAOLI, Pa. – A Pennsylvania State Police trooper was shot and killed by a man he had pulled over in a traffic stop Sunday night, authorities said. Cpl. Tim O’Connor was killed as he approached the car when the driver fired from inside the vehicle, the state’s acting police commissioner, Lt. Col. George Bivens, said at an early Monday morning news conference at Paoli Hospital in Chester County. The shooter — identified by police as Jesse Nathan Elks, 32, from nearby Honey Brook — then got out of the car, walked a short distance away and shot and killed himself with a pistol, Bivens said. O’Connor was a 15-year veteran of the state police who was married and had a young daughter, authorities said.