How workers died last week: Meatpacking, falls, shootings, vehicular incidents, explosion, industrial incidents, electrocution, tree-trimming and medical plane crash. 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.
Kaufman man killed at construction site incident
MCLENDON-CHISHOLM, TX — Authorities are investigating after a construction worker died Monday at a sewer installation site connected to the Edwards Road improvement project in McLendon-Chisholm. Emergency crews at about 3:25 p.m., responded to a call at the intersection of Costa Verde Drive and Torrente Drive in the Sanoma Verde neighborhood in response to a report of an unresponsive person at a construction site. The Rockwall County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday morning identified the worker as 52-year-old Kaufman County resident William Werner who was employed by a utility contractor working on the project. First responders pronounced the him dead at the scene, according to a prepared statement from the MCFR. The Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct the official examination and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified. In the statement from the RCSO, officials said Werner was reportedly run over by an excavator.
Medical Plane Crashes in NM Mountains, Killing All Four Aboard
RUIDOSO, NM — A small medical plane crashed in a mountain range outside Ruidoso, New Mexico, before dawn Thursday, killing all four people aboard and sparking a wildfire in the surrounding forest, officials said. The fire had grown to 35 acres (14 hectares) by midday amid dry, windy conditions, according to Lincoln County Manager Jason Burns. Burns said county officials were “very concerned” about the blaze and local agencies were working with the U.S. Forest Service to contain it. The cause of the crash was unknown, Burns said. The plane was located between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Thursday in steep, rocky terrain in the Capitan Mountains that was difficult to access, with crews hiking the last half-mile to reach the crash site, he said. The victims were flight crew and medical personnel, Burns said. Their names have not yet been made public.
Authorities identify contractor killed in workplace accident at River Mill Dam
CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OR — Authorities have identified the Portland General Electric (PGE) contractor killed at River Mill Dam as 68-year-old Noel Robert Frederick of Montana. Details of the May 14 incident have not been revealed. Investigators say Fredrick was performing equipment testing at the dam. Fredrick was pronounced dead at the scene. A PGE employee also suffered unspecified injuries during this incident and was taken to the hospital for treatment. No updates have been given on the condition of the PGE employee. The dam was placed on safe shutdown mode in the moments directly after the incident. No other injuries were reported and there was no threat to the public. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the accident as a workplace death. The River Mill Dam is located at 30800 SE Kilowatt Lane in unincorporated Clackamas County.
Cause of death released for man killed in workplace accident
SADIEVILLE, KY — The cause of death of a man killed in a workplace accident in Scott County has been released. The Fayette County Coroner’s office reports that Johnny Edwards Donahue, 35, died from multiple blunt force trauma after being injured in an on the job accident in Sadieville. According to the coroner’s office, a skid-steer backed over Edwards Donahue.
Workplace death under investigation at SpaceX complex in Texas
STARBASE, TX — A person is dead following a workplace incident at the SpaceX complex in Starbase, Texas, local authorities have confirmed. The incident happened on Friday, Cameron County Sheriff Manuel Trevino confirmed. Responding deputies determined it was not a criminal matter. Starbase City Administrator Cayetana Polanco confirmed in a statement to Nexstar’s KVEO that a person died, but did not provide any additional details. “The City extends its condolences to the family and loved ones of the individual who passed away,” Polanco said. “SpaceX’s operations and workplace matters are not within the City’s purview. We defer all inquiries regarding this incident to SpaceX, the relevant contracting company, and the appropriate authorities. The victim, working for a contractor, died after a fall at the SpaceX complex, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the incident. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said additional information would be available following its investigation.
Worker dead following ‘industrial accident’ at Tyson Foods facility in Pasco identified by coroner’s office
PASCO, WA — A worker has died following an incident that took place at the Tyson Foods facility in Pasco, a spokesperson for the company reported on Friday. The Walla Walla County Coroner’s Office identified the worker who died following an incident at a Tyson Foods facility as 27-year-old Alberto Serrato of Kennewick. The press release from the coroner’s office stated that Serrato “was the victim of an industrial accident” at a Pasco facility. His official cause and manner of death are still pending. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our team members following an incident at our Pasco facility. Our thoughts are with the family and our team members,” the Tyson Foods spokesperson stated. “We are working with local authorities to investigate what happened and have notified the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).”
Firefighter killed, 10 hurt in explosion at lumber mill in Maine
SEARSMONT, ME — A firefighter was killed and at least 10 others were hurt after an explosion and massive fire at a lumber fire in Maine. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified the firefighter killed in the aftermath of the explosion as 27-year-old Morrill Firefighter Andrew Cross. The explosion and fire happened on Friday around 10 a.m. at 506 Main Street South, which is Robbins Lumber Inc. A mass casualty response was underway. According to the World Health Organization, Mass Casualty incidents (MCIs) are characterized by a sudden surge in patients that overwhelms the capacity of local medical resources. The Thorndike Fire Department said multiple firefighters and civilians were injured. Officials said multiple fire trucks were destroyed due to the fire.
Worker dies after falling from garage roof in Marshall
MARSHALL, MI — A 26-year-old worker died after falling from a garage roof while working in Marshall, according to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. MIOSHA said the incident happened May 11 while the worker was removing shingles from a garage roof and throwing them into a dumpster when the worker fell headfirst onto a concrete driveway. The individual was taken to a hospital, where they died from their injuries May 12. MIOSHA said the death marks the 11th work-related fatality reported in 2026 in Michigan.
Worker dies in incident at Calgon Carbon
HANCOCK COUNTY, MS — One person is dead after an incident at Calgon Carbon in Port Bienville on Tuesday. Hancock County Sheriff Johnny Alison said the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office responded at 10:52 a.m. to reports that a worker had fallen from scaffolding. Alison said when officers arrived, they found that a man had fallen 20 feet, striking additional scaffolding on the way down but not reaching the ground. Hancock County Coroner Jeff Hair identified the man as 28-year-old contractor Justin Davis of George County. Hair said the cause of death is still under investigation.
Construction worker hit in Irwin County crash dies, officials confirm
IRWIN COUNTY, GA — The construction worker critically injured after being hit by a vehicle Friday morning in Irwin County has died, according to the Irwin County Deputy Coroner. The victim’s name has not been released at this time, but WALB was told the man was an older Hispanic male believed to be in his 70s. Officials said the worker was holding a sign near a construction zone when the incident happened on Highway 107. Irwin County Fire Rescue officials confirmed to WALB that the call came in around 9:28 a.m.. The worker was life flighted from the scene, but officials said it is currently unknown where the victim was transported. In a Facebook post, Irwin County Fire Rescue asked the community to keep the victim, his family and co-workers in their prayers. “Please be careful driving, always be alert to your surroundings. Just one short mistake could be life changing,” the post stated.
Chicago firefighter Steven Decker dies during training exercise in West Rogers Park
CHICAGO, IL — A Chicago firefighter died on Thursday afternoon during a training exercise in the West Rogers Park neighborhood. Fire Department officials said it happened shortly after 3 p.m. in the 6600 block of North Kedzie Avenue. Sources said the firefighter collapsed during a hose test, and his fellow firefighters began administering CPR before taking him to St. Francis Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 4 p.m. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office identified him as 61-year-old Steven Decker. Fire Department officials said he was a 30-year veteran of the department. CFD said during the test, fire department members run water through the hoses, raise the pressure for several minutes, and inspect the hoses for leaks or signs of failure. Decker was a fire engineer with Engine 71 in West Rogers Park. Fire engineers are typically responsible for maintaining fire engines and other equipment, driving fire engines, and connecting hoses to hydrants and other water sources, in addition to standard firefighter duties. An ambulance escorted by other CFD vehicles and police squad cars carried Decker’s body from Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, where fellow firefighters saluted him before his body was taken inside on Thursday evening. Decker’s death comes less than two months after Chicago firefighter Michael Altman was killed in an apartment fire in Rogers Park. A man has been charged with arson and murder in Altman’s death.
Truck driver dies days after crash on North Attleborough highway
NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, MA — A Rhode Island truck driver died Monday evening, nearly one week after being involved in a crash in I-95 in North Attleborough, the local DA said. Julio Flores, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, died Monday evening, nearly one week after the semi-truck he was driving was involved in a crash along I-95 in North Attleboro, the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said. At around 11:58 p.m. on May 5, police were sent to mile marker eight on I-95 South for a reported crash, the Quinn’s office said. Police found a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta, with four occupants, pinned between the highway guardrail and Flores’ 2005 Freightliner M2 truck, the local DA said. Police discovered Flores “a short distance from the crash scene” after he “exited” the vehicle, Quinn’s office said. He was brought to Rhode Island Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Officials have not release information about the status of the four Jetta occupants. State Police are actively investigating the incident, the DA said.
Tractor-trailer driver killed in Rowan County I-85 crash that caused fire
SALISBURY, NC — Interstate 85 northbound was shut down south of Salisbury Tuesday evening after a crash and ensuing fire killed a tractor-trailer driver. According to Rowan County and state authorities, the collision occurred at 5:45 p.m. on I-85 just beyond Peach Orchard Road. State troopers said one tractor-trailer was parked on the shoulder of the highway when another struck it from behind. Both vehicles caught fire, and heavy smoke and fire were reported at the scene. The second truck was carrying chemicals, and hazardous materials units from Rowan County and the Salisbury Fire Department responded. The driver of the second tractor-trailer, 74-year-old Wesley Adams of McDonough, Georgia, died at the scene. The first driver was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. As of 9:30 p.m., all but one northbound lane is closed past Exit 72. N.C. State Highway Patrol expects the remaining lanes to reopen around midnight.
Airman dies after being electrocuted while tree-trimming in west Wichita, police say
WICHITA, KS — A 38-year-old man has died after being electrocuted in west Wichita on Monday afternoon, officials say. The incident happened at 1:55 p.m. at South Custer and Burton Avenue, near Maple and Meridian. A caller reported seeing a tree trimmer unresponsive in an aerial bucket while a nearby tree was on fire. It was determined that the aerial bucket had come into contact with power lines. First responders at the scene said a private contractor was working alone, trimming trees, when he was shocked. The Wichita Fire Department used a bucket truck to remove Thomas Gillan from the aerial bucket. Gillan was taken to a local hospital with extremely critical injuries, where he later died. Tom’s son said his dad was an airman at McConnell Air Force Base who had served for 19 years. He was supposed to submit his retirement paperwork later this month.
Washington Twp. man dead after tree-trimming incident ID’d by coroner
DAYTON, OH — A man is dead after a tree-trimming accident in Washington Township on Thursday, May 7. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and Washington Township Fire each responded to the 2400 block of Sugar Ridge Lane on a report of a person injured in the accident. The individual was determined to be beyond help and later pronounced dead. He was 41. The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office also responded to the incident and conducted a death investigation. Their office confirmed his identity to be Wayne Wenzler. His death is under active investigation by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Fort Lauderdale Landscaper Killed After Contacting Power Line
FORT LAUDERFALE, FL — A landscaping worker died after coming into contact with a live electrical wire while working at a Fort Lauderdale property, according to local fire rescue officials investigating the incident. The accident happened Thursday in the area of Northeast 15th Court in Fort Lauderdale. Authorities said the worker, believed to be a man in his 70s, was trimming trees and performing landscaping work when he reportedly struck or touched an energized power line near the property. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue crews responded after receiving emergency calls about an electrocution involving a worker in a tree. First responders arrived to find the landscaper suffering from serious electrical injuries caused by contact with the wire. Officials said emergency personnel transported the man to a nearby hospital for treatment shortly after the incident occurred. Authorities later confirmed the worker died from his injuries after arriving at the hospital. Investigators have not publicly released the victim’s identity pending notification of family members. Officials also have not said whether the power line was clearly visible before the incident or whether the worker had been using specialized safety equipment at the time. No additional injuries were reported at the scene. . Officials have not confirmed whether the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will conduct a separate workplace safety review connected to the incident.
Mentally Ill Man Killed Nurse in Random Robbery in Parking Lot of Tuscaloosa’s DCH Hospital
TUSCALOOSA, AL — Investigators say the man accused of fatally shooting a nurse in the parking lot of Tuscaloosa’s DCH Regional Medical Center was mentally ill and targeted her at random. At a Wednesday press conference, Captain Jack Kennedy, the commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, told local media that the Tuesday afternoon shooting was the first criminal homicide in Tuscaloosa County so far this year. Kennedy said Tuscaloosa police officers were called to the parking lot of DCH Regional Medical Center on reports of a shooting at about 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. They found 27-year-old Ada Doss, an employee at DCH, who was walking to her car during a shift change. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
USPS employee dies in hit-and-run crash on Benton Boulevard
KANSAS CITY, MO — A post office employee is dead after a crash, and Kansas City, Missouri, police are searching for the other driver involved. Officers say the USPS worker was driving down Benton Boulevard in a van just after 7:15 p.m. Wednesday when a gray Chevy Equinox SUV entered the intersection of 30th Street and Benton Boulevard and collided with them. The crash caused the USPS van to overturn onto the driver’s side and partially throw out the driver. The USPS employee died at the scene. Police say the driver of the Equinox was the only person inside that vehicle, and they ditched their car to run from the scene. On Friday morning, the postal service identified the worker as 34-year-old Gerald Nevels.
Customers shocked, grieving loss of Smith’s employees killed in shooting
LAS VEGAS, NV — Police have identified the two victims in a deadly shooting at a Smith’s store near Maryland Parkway and Silverado Ranch on Tuesday morning. Amanda and Victor Frias Rosas were married and also co-workers at the Smith’s store. A new police report indicates the man accused of shooting and killing the couple was Alejandro Estrada, who is Amanda’s ex and shares two children with the victim. The report says Estrada was in trouble over child support and feared he was going to jail for failing to pay. On Wednesday, there was a growing memorial for the victims. The store was still closed to the public, and flowers, pictures, and balloons were being added in front of the entryway.
Houston truck driver dies in Wichita County crash
WICHITA COUNTY, TX — A 43-year-old Houston man died in a single-vehicle crash on US Highway 287, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. The incident occurred at 1:15 p.m. on May 14, 2026, near mile marker 322. The driver, identified as Tai D Nguyen, was operating a 2023 Volvo truck tractor towing a 2016 Hyundai semi-trailer southbound when the vehicle veered off the left side of the roadway. The truck traveled into the center median, breached the cable barrier, and rolled onto its left side before coming to rest against the guardrail in the northbound lanes.
Little Saigon bar employee killed on the job, suspect charged in gruesome capital murder
HOUSTON, TX — A 47-year-old man has been charged with capital murder in the death of an employee at Tropical Tea, a karaoke bar in the Little Saigon neighborhood. Houston police arrested Christopher Lee Bowden, who records show is homeless, on Wednesday. A Harris County District Court judge set his bond at $1 million on Thursday. The victim, identified by police as 54-year-old Chun Chen, was found dead in the kitchen area at the bar in the 10500 block of Bellaire Boulevard on May 8 by coworkers who hadn’t heard from him.
Captured on surveillance video, Bowden allegedly came into the back of the business last Thursday night and approached Chen behind the bar counter before repeatedly hitting him with a hammer, according to a law enforcement source, who said Chen fell to the ground and Bowden appeared to continue hitting him with the hammer. After setting the hammer down, Bowden allegedly started taking money from the cash drawer, the source said. Other employees later told detectives the drawer usually had about $100 in it, but all the money except for coins appeared to be gone during the investigation. While Chen remain laying on the ground, the source said Bowden allegedly poured hot oil from the fryer all over him, and detectives found Chen’s cell phone and credit card melted and deformed near him when they responded to the business the next day.
Flatbed truck driver killed after rear-ending box truck; 2 SB lanes of Okeechobee Road closed near Krome Ave
NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FL — A fatal crash has shut down part of Okeechobee Road in Northwest Miami-Dade. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a flatbed truck was traveling Southbound when it slammed into the back of a box truck near Krome Avenue, just before 7 a.m. on Friday. The driver of the flatbed truck was killed. The driver of the box truck was not hurt. Two southbound lanes have been blocked for hours as troopers investigate. They urge drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
Teen arrested, 2 remain hospitalized after chase kills Greenwood officer
GREENWOOD, SC — The Greenwood community is mourning after an officer was hit and killed during a high-speed chase on Monday night. One of the teens involved in the chase has been arrested. Greenwood Police Chief TJ Chaudoin said an officer attempted a traffic stop shortly before 5 p.m. on a blue Jeep that police believe had been involved in several prior shooting-related incidents. The driver fled at high speed. Officials said the Jeep crossed into oncoming traffic on East Cambridge Avenue and hit another officer. That officer was identified as 31-year-old Don “DJ” Keller, police said. Officer Keller’s K-9 was also in the patrol vehicle at the time of the crash but was not injured, officials said.
Ala. officer killed in on-duty crash
CITRONELLE, AL — A Citronelle Police Department officer died following a single-vehicle crash while on duty, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. Officer Dylan Chase Owen, 26, was driving his cruiser when it left the roadway and crashed into a tree. He died at the scene despite lifesaving measures. Owen, who had served with the department since 2024, received the department’s rookie of the year award in 2025, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. Community members described Owen as personable and “a great man,” WKRG reported.
Texas Truck Driver Killed in Interstate 78 Crash in Berks County
BERKS COUNTY, PA — A Texas man died following a late-night tractor-trailer crash on Interstate 78 in Berks County Friday night, according to the Berks County Coroner’s Office. Berks County Coroner Matthew Stitzel identified the victim as Donald Gene Hausenfluck, 61, of San Antonio, Texas. According to Pennsylvania State Police at Hamburg, the crash occurred around 11:51 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2026, on Interstate 78 westbound at mile marker 25.6 in Upper Bern Township. Police say Hausenfluck was operating a 2022 Volvo tractor-trailer westbound when, for unknown reasons, the vehicle drifted from the right travel lane onto the shoulder and struck the rear of a parked 2025 Kenworth tractor-trailer. The impact caused disabling damage to the parked truck’s trailer and power unit. After the collision, the Volvo overturned and struck an embankment before coming to rest facing north. Police said the crash blocked all westbound lanes, including both shoulders. Hausenfluck was transported to Reading Hospital by Northern Berks EMS with life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced dead at 1:31 a.m. Saturday. The coroner’s office determined the cause of death to be multiple blunt force trauma and ruled the manner of death accidental.
Roof truss collapse at Shelby County construction site leaves 1 dead, others injured
SHELBY COUNTY, KY — One worker is dead and others were hurt after a collapse at a building under construction Monday afternoon in Shelby County, according to officials. Shelby County Central Dispatch received multiple calls about the collapse at approximately 1:48 p.m. May 18, 2026, with several people reported injured. Emergency crews from multiple agencies responded and found that several roof trusses had collapsed inside the structure, causing multiple workers to fall and suffer injuries. Officials said several individuals were treated at the scene. One employee suffered critical injuries and died at the scene while emergency personnel were still there. The scene has been secured and an investigation into what caused the collapse is underway. The Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Program and state emergency management officials have been notified and are responding.
Community grieves beloved San Diego mosque security guard killed on the job
LOS ANGELES, CA — One of the three people killed by two teen shooters at a San Diego mosque was a beloved security guard who acted quickly to prevent more deaths, authorities and community members said. Amin Abdullah was a security guard who greeted everyone that arrived at the Islamic Center of San Diego with a smile and the traditional Muslim greeting in Arabic of as-salamu alaikum or “peace be upon you,” according to Mahmood Ahmadi, a longtime attendee of the mosque. Authorities have not released the names of the three victims. But family friend Shaykh Uthman Ibn Farooq identified Abdullah, saying he had spoken with one of Abdullah’s sons as the family began to make funeral plans. “He wanted to defend the innocent so he decided to become a security guard,” Farooq said. Abdullah had worked at the mosque for more than a decade. He was there nearly every single day and was dedicated to his wife and nine kids, Farooq said.