How workers died last week: helicopter crash, fall, occupational cancer, explosions, electrocution, skid steer rollover, head injury, and crushed by a lawn mower, vehicular incidents and shootings. On average, 100 workers die every week from traumatic injuries on the job in the United States. 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.
Boynton Beach helicopter crash claims lives of instructor and student
BOYNTON BEACH, FL — The identities of two people killed after a helicopter crash in Boynton Beach on Monday were made public. The Boynton Beach Police Department said the victims are 28-year-old Alejandro Carrasco, who was an instructor of West Palm Beach and 52-year-old Bryan Menna, a flight student of Michigan. The two men were killed after their Robinson R44 helicopter crashed into a warehouse building near the 3800 block of Congress Avenue in Boynton Beach around 12:30 p.m. on Monday. The National Transportation Safety Board is the lead investigating agency in the crash.
Worker Killed in Fall
San Antonio, TX — A contractor for Alpine Silica, LLC, Ronnie Free, died after falling approximately 37 feet through an un-secured roof panel of the roof of the shaker screen deck building while conducting roof repairs.
Employee dies at Snowmass wastewater plant
ASPEN, CO — A man who died at the Snowmass Water and Sanitation Department’s wastewater treatment plant on Wednesday has been identified as 63-year-old Randy Urban, according to Pitkin County Deputy Coroner Hugh Zuker. Urban was pronounced dead on the scene at 5:28 p.m. He was employed as a maintenance worker at the plant, according to the department’s website. Zuker said he was not able to comment on the cause or manner of death because the investigation is still underway.
Tree service worker found dead after fall in Wilmington
WILMINGTON, NC — A tree service worker died after a fall on the 2200 block of Sterling Place on Friday, according to the Wilmington Police Department (WPD). A WPD representative said police, fire and EMS responded to the scene at 8 a.m. on March 20 following a report that someone had fallen from a tree. The worker was found dead at the scene. WPD said the death was determined to be noncriminal and work-related. The North Carolina Department of Labor was contacted to conduct an investigation.
Autopsy ordered after fire kills worker at Trinity Industries in Longview
Longview, TX — An autopsy has been ordered after an employee at a Longview industrial facility died Monday following a fire, officials said. Longview firefighters were dispatched at 10:27 a.m. to Trinity Industries, 708 Jordan Valley Road, because an employee “burnt himself,” Longview Fire Marshal Marcus Delaney said in a statement. “Upon arrival, first responding units located the patient with severe burn injuries and requested additional resources to assist,” Delaney said. “The patient was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and later succumbed to those injuries.”
Worker dies after falling from scaffolding at downtown Wichita construction site
Wichita, KS — A worker has died after falling from scaffolding at the Wichita Biomedical Campus construction site downtown Monday morning. It happened just before 11:30 a.m., according to Sedgwick County Emergency Communications 911 scanner traffic, which is based on preliminary information and subject to change. The worker was conscious after falling from construction scaffolding, police said via the scanner, and was taken to nearby Ascension Via Christi St. Francis. Later in the day, Midwest Drywall released a statement saying the worker had died.
Veteran Phoenix firefighter dies after cancer battle
PHOENIX, AZ — The Phoenix Fire Department is mourning the death of a longtime firefighter who passed away from cancer. On Monday, the department announced that Firefighter Robert Oliver Jr. died after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Oliver Jr. contracted cancer in the line of duty, according to Phoenix Fire. He served with the department for over 30 years with “dedication, professionalism and heart.”
Worker killed in accident at Hometown industrial plant
RUSH TOWNSHIP, PA — One person is dead after an accident at an industrial plant in this Rush Township village Saturday afternoon. First responders were called to a plant at 143 Mahanoy Avenue around 2pm Saturday for an industrial accident. According to the State Police at Frackville, a 36-year-old worker died after an accidental heavy machinery incident. Troopers did not identify the business involved. Multiple businesses are listed as operating out of the plant. It was formerly the J.E. Morgan Knitting Mill.
Cause of death revealed in fatal Lincoln Greens accident
SPRINGFIELD, IL — Sangamon County’s Coroner has identified the victim in Thursday’s fatal workplace incident at Lincoln Greens Golf Course. According to a news release, Jim Allmon has identified the victim as Daniel Crumrine, 51. Preliminary results of an autopsy conducted Friday indicate Crumrine died of “crush injuries,” said Allmon. 911 calls were first placed about the accident around 10:30 a.m. Friday, according to Allmon. Crumrine was discovered underneath a mower. He was then taken to a Springfield hospital and pronounced dead about an hour later. Springfield Park District Police Chief Patrick Murphy said prior to the autopsy that “There is no reason to believe that it is anything but a tragic accident,” but that an investigation continues. Murphy said he knew Crumrine personally, making the death all the more emotional for him. Crumrine was a Springfield Park District employee.
Man arrested after worker killed trying to stop theft at Florida tire shop, police say</h3
LAKE COUNTY, FL — A man has been arrested after a worker died after trying to stop a customer from stealing tires at a Lake County shop, according to the Mascotte Police Department. Brandon Lewis, 33, is accused of hitting Ashley Tyer with a car last week as he allegedly sped away from Just Stop Tires without paying. James Kelly, an employee at the shop, said the customer lowered the car off the jack, got into his car, and took off. Tyer ran after the customer and ended up on the hood of the car. “By the time I turned around, she was on the hood,” Kelly said. “I don’t know if she jumped, or they ran into her, but I know once she was on that hood, he knew that her life was in jeopardy, and he didn’t care.” Tyer was critically injured and later died from her injuries. In a news release Monday, Mascotte police said Lewis had been identified as the customer involved. Lewis was taken into custody, and he faces a charge of first-degree vehicular homicide. Police said more charges and arrests are possible as the investigation continues.
Blair Road Work Turns Tragic As Skid Steer Rollover Kills Roane County Man
ROANE COUNTY, TN — A routine workday in Roane County’s Blair community ended in tragedy Wednesday when a skid-steer loader overturned and killed its operator, authorities said. Deputies with the Roane County Sheriff’s Office were called out around noon and found the machine and the victim along a rural stretch of Blair Road in the 200 block, according to WVLT. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and the incident remains under investigation. Authorities have not released the victim’s name or a formal cause of death.
Worker dies while on the job at Hanford nuclear site
HANFORD, WA — A worker died while on the job at the Hanford site Thursday. Phil Breidenbach, chief operating officer, shared the news with employees in an email that Bryan Foster, a nuclear chemical operator, collapsed while in a supply vehicle at SX Farm. He was part of the Field Crew Operations team supporting in-tank camera inspections when the incident occurred. Coworkers and first responders attempted to save Foster, but he passed away. Foster had worked at the Hanford Site for about five years as a member of the H2C team.
Roadside service technician killed on I-696 is Michigan’s 7th workplace death of 2026
WARREN, MI — A 19-year-old service technician died after he was struck by a passing vehicle while responding to a disabled car on I-696 this week, officials said. According to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the man responded to a disabled vehicle on the shoulder of eastbound I-696 near Mound Road in Warren on March 23. After activating his emergency lights and leaving his vehicle to assist the disabled car, officials say a passing vehicle caused another car to swerve onto the shoulder, fatally striking the man. MIOSHA reports that the man’s death is the seventh workplace death in 2026. Earlier this month, a 55-year-old Missouri man died after unloading a vehicle from a car hauler on Gratiot Avenue near 10 Mile Road in Eastpointe. MIOSHA said a vehicle door inadvertently struck the hydraulic control level for the vehicle’s upper platform. The upper platform rose, trapping the man, who was the owner of the hauler business. There were 45 workplace-related deaths in Michigan investigated by MIOSHA during 2025.
Worker killed in accident at data center in Haskell County
HASKELL COUNTY, TX — A worker was killed during an accident at a data center in Haskell County last week. Omar Egues Montero, 61, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident at the Haydon AI Data Center around 10:00 a.m. March 20, according to the Haskell County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office states Montero was driving a semi-truck that had become stuck at the site. Workers were using a dozer to push the semi-truck free when Montero exited his vehicle, despite being warned to remain inside. He was then run over and killed. No other injuries have been reported in connection to this incident.
Crews recover body of utility worker possibly electrocuted in manhole in Downtown Corpus Christi
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — Assistant Fire Chief Tony Perez with the Corpus Christi Fire Department told KRIS 6 News that at approximately 11:30 a.m., emergency crews responded to a report of a possible electrocution of a utility worker in the 600 block of Mestina Street near the Corpus Christi Cathedral. When first responders arrived, they determined the situation required a technical rescue operation. Power to the area was shut off so that rescue personnel could go into the manhole. Once inside, crews found the utility worker 10 feet below ground level already deceased. They safely removed the worker from the manhole. The official cause of death has not been determined. The Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office was on the scene and will continue the investigation into the worker’s death. No additional injuries were reported. As of Wednesday, the worker has been identified to be 53-year-old Lee Wane.
One employee killed in deadly salvage yard explosion in Iowa
BARTLETT, IA — One employee was killed in a deadly explosion at J-Dog Salvage near Bartlett, Iowa, while disassembling a large fuel tank. The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, OSHA, and fire officials arrived around noon Tuesday and are still investigating the incident. In a release sent Monday, the man was identified as Blaine N. Schoening, age 66, of Council Bluffs.
NaturPak: Two workers burned in steam explosion have died
JANESVILLE, WI — Two NaturPak employees burned in a steam equipment explosion at the southside Janesville pet food plant last week have died, the company has confirmed. It’s not clear whether the two people NaturPak says died were the two rushed by medics from the plant by helicopter for emergency treatment in Madison. It was the second accident in five weeks involving explosion of pressurized steam equipment at NaturPak in Janesville. The first explosion was Feb. 11, an accident that local fire department officials said left two people hospitalized with severe burns — one at a Madison hospital burn unit. It’s not clear if both explosions occurred in the same area at NaturPak’s plant. In response to a Gazette open records request this week, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration provided records showing the agency has in the past two months opened two “safety investigations,” on Feb. 12 and March 18, at NaturPak in Janesville tied to “food manufacturing.” Both investigations remain open at NaturPak, which the report characterizes as a “non-union” dog-and-cat-food plant.
Community in shock after two employees killed at Indian River County library
VERO BEACH, FL — Authorities with the Vero Beach Police Department gave an update after two Indian River County employees were killed in the parking lot of the main library in Vero Beach. The county identified the victims as Danny Ooley, assistant director of Public Works, and Stacie Mason, a traffic analyst technician. “The reality of this loss is profound, and there are no words that can fully capture its weight. Danny and Stacie were not just employees, but colleagues and dedicated public servants who supported this community every day,” Chairman Deryl Loar and County Administrator John A. Titkanich Jr. said in a statement. “Their absence is deeply felt across our organization and the community they served.” Hours after the victims’ bodies were discovered, police located the suspected shooter’s truck at South Beach. They believe it is connected to this double homicide. The suspect has been identified as 64-year-old Jesse Scott Ellis, Mason’s husband of 13 years. They were separated and conversing about selling their home.
Officials ID worker killed at LEGO distribution center construction site
PRINCE GEORGE, VA — A West Virginia man died Wednesday while delivering construction materials to the future LEGO distribution center site in Prince George County, according to county officials. Prince George County officials identified the victim as Garrison Boone, 56, of West Virginia. The incident occurred in the 5000 block of West Quaker Road. Boone was working for a third-party vendor and delivering materials at the time of his death. His body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The Prince George County Police Department is leading the investigation. Authorities are awaiting the medical examiner’s report to determine the official cause and manner of death.
1 killed, 1 injured in fatal semi crash on I-40
GRAY COUNTY, TX — A fatal crash involving two semi-trucks on I-40 left one driver dead and another hospitalized early Saturday morning. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the crash happened around 2:49 a.m., March 21 when one semi failed to control their speed and struck the end of another. TDPS said a 2018 Freightliner truck tractor towing a semi-trailer, and a 2015 Volvo truck tractor towing a semi-trailer were both traveling eastbound on I-40. The Volvo failed to control its speed and struck the back end of the Freightliner’s semi-trailer. The Volvo driver, Eldar Mamedov, 52, of Louisville, Kentucky, was ejected and pronounced dead at the scene. Mamedov was wearing a seatbelt, but it was worn improperly. Officials said he was ejected from the crash as a result of the improperly worn seatbelt. The Freightliner driver, Dicklous Mathwai, 62, of Riverside, California, was not wearing a seatbelt. Mathwai was transported to Northwest Texas Hospital with minor injuries.
Chicago contractor shot, killed walking between offices near United Center, family says
CHICAGO, IL — A Chicago contractor was shot and killed near United Center on Tuesday, his family told ABC7. Jerry Lewis had a profound impact on the construction community and those on the West Side, his wife said. Lewis was killed just before 1 p.m. near West Madison and South Leavitt streets. The 67-year-old’s family said he was shot while walking between offices when he was approached by two gunmen who opened fire. He was shot in the head and was rushed to Stroger hospital where he died, police said. Lewis’ family said he was a successful Chicago contractor and developer who was instrumental in Project 1901, the $7-billion development of property around the United Center.
Iowa truck driver killed in crash on Alabama interstate
LIVINGSTON, AL — An Iowa truck driver was killed when his tractor-trailer left an Alabama interstate. Alabama State Troopers on Friday identified the victim as Luqman A. Goher. He was 31. The wreck happened at 5 a.m. Thursday on Interstate 59, about 11 miles northeast of Livingston in Sumter County. Trooper Sgt. Reginal King said Goher was driving a Freightliner tractor-trailer when the truck left the road, struck a ditch and then crashed into several trees. Goher was pronounced dead on the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
Man dies after construction truck rolls over him on Port Chester street
PORT CHESTER, NY — A man in Port Chester died Wednesday morning after a construction truck rolled over him on Willet Avenue. Police said the truck rolled forward while the man, who was in his 70s, was working underneath it. They said the incident appears to be accidental. Family members notified News 12 of his death. Relatives had said earlier he was hospitalized with several broken leg bones and would have needed exoskeletal traction for weeks. He had been treated at Westchester Medical Center. No additional details were released.
Semi-tractor-trailer truck driver dies after being found unresponsive on I-94 near Libertyville
LIBERTYVILLE, IL — A semi-tractor-trailer truck driver died after first responders found him unresponsive in his truck on Interstate 94 near Libertyville following an apparent medical event. Lake County Chief Deputy Coroner Steve Newton said a semi-truck driver was talking with his wife on the phone while driving. The man, identified as Herbert Bailey, 63, of Tupelo, Mississippi, pulled his truck and trailer over on the side of Interstate 94. Bailey began having difficulty breathing and his wife called the police, Newton said. Illinois Tollway maintenance personnel located the truck just north of Route 137 near milepost 13.25. Troopers arrived and confirmed Bailey was unresponsive, according to emergency radio traffic. They began lifesaving measures and called for the Libertyville Fire Department. Newton said Bailey was pronounced dead at the scene after lifesaving measures were unsuccessful. The Lake County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene and took possession of Bailey for an autopsy. The autopsy was performed and the results indicate Bailey’s death appeared to be heart-related but toxicology results are pending, Newton said.