How workers died last week: Construction, tree care, grain bin, fall, machinery, fire fighting, rock climbing, vehicular collisions, rollovers, shootings, stabbings. 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.
1 dies, 2 rescued from grain bin in Wabash Co.
MT. CARMEL, IL — Wabash County Sheriff’s Office officials say several crews were called out to a grain bin rescue Monday. It happened around 9:24 a.m. after Wabash County 911 received a call in reference to three men being trapped in a grain bin at Friendsville Avenue and North 1550 Boulevard in Mt. Carmel. Officials say one person died and had to be recovered from the grain bin. Authorities say that man is 21-year-old Steven Haase of Mt. Carmel. Authorities say they were able to get Haase out just after 1:00 p.m. Monday. Two others were able to get out of the bin and are okay.
Scott County employee killed in dump truck rollover crash on Monday
SCOTTY COUNTY, IA — A Scott County employee was killed in a rollover crash on Monday morning, according to the sheriff’s office. The crash happened on New Liberty Road near Maysville, shutting down part of the roadway for hours. News 8 got to the scene around 10:15 a.m. while crews were still responding. According to the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, a secondary roads employee was heading east on New Liberty Road with a load of gravel in the county-owned dump truck. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle and rolled into the ditch. The sheriff’s office said the driver was pronounced dead at the hospital. The Iowa State Patrol is investigating the accident.
Father of 5 dies after being trapped by fallen pallet in ‘tragic’ industrial accident
ANDERSON COUNTY, SC — A South Carolina family is mourning a loving husband and father of five who was killed in an industrial accident. The Anderson County Coroner’s Office identified the worker killed Monday afternoon as 57-year-old Anthony Mark Lamattina III. The coroner’s office said first responders were called to an industrial accident at Industrial Warehouse Services around 1:45 p.m. When they arrived, they found Lamattina had died from his injuries. According to officials, Lamattina was trying to unload a truck with a forklift driver when a pallet of rubber tipped over, trapping the victim between the pallet and the wall.
Construction worker killed, another injured in accident on top floor of Downtown Miami condo
MIAMI, FL — A construction worker has died and another was badly injured following an accident while on the job in Downtown Miami. According to authorities, two workers were injured while working on the top floor of a building under construction when a structural column suddenly fell, trapping the man and woman underneath. Miami Fire Rescue crews quickly responded and rushed both victims to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Authorities later said the woman, identified as 25-year-old Maria Fernanda Gonzalez Garcia, was pronounced deceased a short time after arriving the hospital. The man who was injured remains hospitalized, and officials said he will be facing a lengthy recovery process.
Contractor killed by falling tree in Washington County, coroner says
CANTON TOWNSHIP, PA — A tree cutter in Washington County died on the job after officials said the tree snapped Monday afternoon. According to a release from county coroner Tim Warco, the victim was a contractor hired to cut down a tree at a residence along Lynn Portal Road. The coroner said the tree fell in an unintended direction and struck the contractor, who was later identified as 42-year-old Ryan Jenny of Houston, Pennsylvania. DeForte said the victim performed the job alone and worked for his own company. “From what our investigation has shown us now, everything was done appropriately. He had all the safety lines set in place,” DeForte said. “He was very professional.”
Longtime toll operator killed after truck crashes through booth, drives into ocean
DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, FL — Police in Florida said a beach ramp toll operator was killed after a pickup truck driver crashed into her booth Monday afternoon. The Volusia County sheriff’s office said the driver kept going after the crash, driving onto the beach and then into the ocean before getting stuck in the sand. The longtime beach toll employee, identified by the sheriff’s office as 63-year-old Tammie Jo Baker, was killed at the scene. Thirty-five-year-old Deanna Harrell, of Ormond Beach, was detained following the accident and was tested for alcohol intoxication. Officials said the Dunlawton Beach access was closed during the investigation.
Illinois Tollway Worker Dies, Two Others Injured in May 30 Vehicle Crash
DES PLAINES, IL — One Illinois Tollway maintenance worker was killed and two others were injured while doing pothole repairs on Interstate-294 near suburban Des Plaines, Ill., in the early morning of May 30. The man who died was identified by the Cook County Medical Examiner as Calvin L. Holley, 52, of Chicago. The two other workers, who were not identified, were injured and hospitalized. The vehicle speed also was not disclosed.
Family of Chesapeake crash victim calls for justice after landscaper killed on the job
CHESAPEAKE, VA — The family of a Chesapeake landscaper who was killed after being struck during a high-speed crash is speaking out as police continue to investigate the incident. Authorities said 60-year-old Guadalupe Rivera was working near Johnstown Road when a speeding vehicle collided with an SUV, causing the driver to lose control and strike Rivera. He died at the scene. Rivera had worked as a landscaper for more than 15 years, according to his family.
Park Ranger Dies After Falling Into a Crevasse on Mt. McKinley
Robin Pendery, 33, who was part of a climbing patrol, was near a camp at about 14,000 feet on the mountain in Alaska when she fell, the National Park Service said.
Mt. Denali, AK — A ranger who was assigned to a climbing patrol on Mount McKinley in Alaska, North America’s tallest peak, died after falling into a crevasse on Thursday, the National Park Service said. Officials identified the ranger as Robin Pendery, 33, of Enumclaw, Wash., a seasonal employee for the Park Service, and said she had been near a camp that sits at about 14,000 feet up the mountain when she fell. Park Service workers responded immediately, the agency said, but Ms. Pendery did not survive. It did not release further details about the incident.
Ill. firefighter/paramedic dies while on duty
ROSCOE, IL — Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District firefighter-paramedic John Morgan died while on duty on June 1, WTVO reported. “Today, we mourn together. We honor a life dedicated to service,” Fire Chief John Bergeron said. “We remember a hero who answered the call without hesitation, and we pledge that their sacrifice, dedication, and legacy will never be forgotten.” No additional details were immediately released.
John Edwards, correction officer at state prison in Gardner, dies on job
GARDNER, MA — A correction officer at the state prison is being mourned after he died during his shift early Sunday, May 31. John Edwards was a 28-year member of the state Department of Correction, most recently assigned to the North Central Correctional Institution. He had worked at the state prison in Concord.
Local School Custodian and Navy Veteran Dies of Apparent Heart Attack
POCATELLO, ID — A local custodian and Navy Veteran died after suffering an apparent heart attack. It happened Tuesday morning at Pocatello High School. Family members identified the employee as Jason Johnson of Pocatello. He was 39-years-old. The medical situation prompted a large response from police, fire and emergency medical personnel. No further details were released.
Coroner IDs man dead after workplace accident in Shillington
SHILLINGTON, PA — The Berks County Coroner has identified the man who died in a workplace accident in Shillington. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says it’s investigating the death of 47-year-old Francesco Giannotti of the Kutztown area who fell from scaffolding while working on a job site. The incident happened Wednesday morning at the lofts in the first block of Catherine Street. The coroner says Giannotti was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Construction worker hit and killed by 16-year-old driver on Walton County highway, GSP says
WALTON COUNTY, GA — A construction worker was killed Thursday after being struck by an SUV in a work zone along State Route 81 in Walton County, according to Georgia State Patrol. Troopers said the crash happened around 11:58 a.m. just north of Ozora Church Road after the Walton County Sheriff’s Office requested the Georgia State Patrol investigate the fatal incident. Preliminary findings indicate an Acura MDX was traveling north on State Route 81 through a work zone when it struck a construction worker who was taking measurements in the roadway. The worker, identified as 46-year-old Vipulkumar Patel, died at the scene, troopers said. Troopers said the driver of the Acura, a 16-year-old, was not injured.
Coroner identifies Walmart truck driver killed in Laurens County crash
LAURENS COUNTY, SC — The South Carolina Highway Patrol reported a fatal crash on Wednesday morning in Laurens County. Troopers said that a Freightliner tractor-trailer was traveling west on I-26 near mile marker 49 when it ran off the right side of the road and overturned around 3:49 a.m. The driver was killed at the scene. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office identified the driver as 67-year-old Michael Nanna of Inman.
Lafayette parish man dies in accident on Carmel Drive
LAFAYETTE, LA — A man is left dead following an accident on Carmel Drive Tuesday night, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office said. According to deputies, a 32-year-old worker, whose identity has not been released, was found dead underneath a tractor in the 2100 block of Carmel drive around 10 p.m. Deputies said there were no signs of foul play at the scene so an investigation for a suspicious death or homicide has been ruled out.
Worker Dies In Accident at North Tuscaloosa County Lumber Mill Wednesday
TUSCALOOSA COUNTY, AL — A worker at a lumber mill in north Tuscaloosa County was killed in a workplace accident Wednesday night, investigators have confirmed. Captain Jack Kennedy, the commander of the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit, confirmed that they are investigating a workplace fatality at the W G Sullivan Lumber Co. on Highway 171 east of Samantha in the northern part of the county. Kennedy said the worker, whose identity the VCU is not publicly releasing, died in an accident involving machinery. He said the body will be sent to Montgomery, where the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for autopsy. At this time, the VCU does not believe there was a criminal element to the death, which is why they are not identifying the victim publicly.
Single mother stabbed to death by ex-boyfriend while working at Skyline Chili, authorities say
NORWOOD, OH — An Ohio woman was stabbed to death this week at work and her ex-boyfriend has been charged in connection with her death. According to Hamilton County authorities, Alyssa Hill, 27, was working at a Skyline Chili restaurant on Tuesday when she was killed in a stabbing at the hands of her ex, identified as 37-year-old Rick Wright. Kayla Elliott, a close friend of Hill’s, said she was a single mother who had worked at Skyline Chili as a server for years.
Worker found dead underneath tractor at Acadiana Waste Services in Lafayette
LAFAYETTE, LA – A worker is dead after a mishap at Acadiana Waste Services in Lafayette. The worker’s name was not released. A spokesperson reported that deputies were called to Carmel Drive near Lake Martin Road on Tuesday, June 2, around 10 p.m., and found the 32-year-old worker unresponsive underneath a tractor. The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office stated there were no signs of foul play at the scene, so it is not being investigated as a suspicious death or a homicide. OSHA is investigating the accident.
Tow truck driver killed in fiery crash on Loop 101
CHANDLER, AZ — A tow truck driver died following a fiery crash on the Loop 101 early Thursday morning. The crash happened at around 3 a.m. on June 4 in the southbound lanes of the freeway near Ray Road. The Arizona Department of Public Safety says the tow truck hit an attenuator before hitting a barrier wall. The truck then caught fire. The driver of the tow truck was taken to a hospital where he later died.
Suspect at large after employee shot, killed at business in Lansing, officials say
LANSING, IL — A suspect is at large after a brazen deadly shooting Thursday afternoon at a business in the south suburbs, police said. An employee was killed. A large police response was seen beginning around 1 p.m. at Nippon Paint Automotive Americas on East 170th Street in Lansing, Illinois, which is a car coating manufacturer. The manhunt had already passed its third hour as of 4 p.m., as people who live near the scene were being urged to shelter in place. The shelter-in-place order in Lansing has since been lifted as police said the suspect was believed to have fled the area. Officials told ABC7 the person who was killed in the shooting was a man who worked at the business, and he was shot once. His name has not been released. What led up to the shooting and if this was a workplace dispute that turned deadly were not yet known.
Amazon employee shot and killed in fulfillment center garage near Chicago
MELROSE PARK, IL — An Amazon employee was shot and killed in a garage at the company’s delivery station near Chicago, according to officials and local media reports. The suspect fled the scene. The shooting happened just after 9 a.m. on Thursday at the Amazon facility in Melrose Park, a suburb about 12 miles west of downtown Chicago. Officers were called to the delivery station in the 1800 block of North Fifth Avenue and found the victim in an employee garage. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Travion R. Taylor, 27, of Chicago, according to WLS. He was taken to Loyola University Medical Center, where he died. Authorities believe the shooting stemmed from a personal dispute, according to WLS. No threat to the public was reported, but the alleged shooter has not been taken into custody.
Worker who died at Palmetto USPS distribution center identified by family; fourth death at facility in last two years
PALMETTO, GA — A worker died Wednesday at the United States Postal Service distribution facility in Palmetto, the postal service confirmed. USPS said in a statement Thursday it was “deeply saddened by the by the tragic loss of a postal family member.” It is the fourth employee death at the facility in the last two years. Family identified the postal worker as Demarcus Little. No cause was given for the death of the worker by USPS.
Landscape worker killed, another hospitalized after being hit on I-85
COLLEGE PARK, GA — Two landscape workers were hit while working on Interstate 85 in College Park on Thursday afternoon. Police confirmed that one of those workers was killed, and the other remains in serious condition with life-threatening injuries. The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the worker who died as 37-year-old Celestino Pora-Carrillo.
‘She was such a bright light’: Rock climbing guide dies at state park while teaching gear safety class
BARABOO, WI — Family and friends are mourning the loss of a rock climbing guide who died at a state park over the weekend.
A memorial is front and center at Wildside Action Sports, honoring the life of employee Audrie Pelosi. The 30-year-old was said to have lost her life while on a climb at the Devil’s Lake State Park. “Audrie passed away tragically on Saturday at Devil’s Lake State Park, a place she loved,” a group supporting the park and staff members shared. “We are shocked and saddened, and we are sending our deepest condolences to her family and friends.” Information wasn’t immediately shared about how Pelosi died, but an obituary called it a “tragic climbing accident.” Jeff Vogtschaller, a friend and colleague of Pelosi, said she died while teaching a rock climbing class on gear safety.
NTEC worker found dead at Durand Township worksite after overnight search
DURAND TOWNSHIP, WI — A Nelson Telephone Cooperative employee was found dead at a worksite in Durand Township early Saturday after he failed to report back at the end of his shift. Christian Jean Bates, 54, of rural Durand, was discovered around 3 a.m. in a shallow excavation associated with his job as a construction supervisor with NTEC Telecommunications. NTEC personnel launched a search effort with help from law enforcement after reporting Bates missing. The Pepin County Sheriff’s Office and Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office were notified in the early morning hours that Bates had not returned and his whereabouts were unknown. The cause and manner of death have not yet been determined. An autopsy has been scheduled through the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office in Minnesota, which is assisting in the investigation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also conducting an investigation into the incident.
Mower operator rear ended by semi truck on I-69 in Branch County died
BRANCH COUNTY, MI — A mower operator died on Saturday after a semi truck rear ended him on I-69. A semi truck driver rear ended a 46-year-old Branch County mower operator from Coldwater on I-69 near Newton Road Bridge on Thursday after 12:30 p.m., and on Monday, Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers said the man died on Saturday. Troopers said they have not arrested the semi truck driver and their investigation into the crash is still ongoing. In their initial report about the crash, troopers said they believe drug use may have been a contributing factor, however, “additional follow-up is needed to confirm.” The semi driver had minor injuries after the crash.
Who Was Bryce Adair? CBS Sports Crew Member Dies Following Ohio Crash
DUBLIN, OH — CBS Sports production assistant Bryce Adair was killed Saturday at the age of 31, when he was injured in a single-vehicle accident taking place while he was working in Ohio during the PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament. The accident happened on Wednesday night near Dublin, Ohio, following which he was admitted to the Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. Colleagues from throughout the sports broadcasting world held a standing ovation for him at the Memorial Tournament’s opening on Monday night and a somber mood pervaded the weekend of the Memorial Tournament. The loss was officially recognized by CBS Sports in the live coverage of the game on Saturday, and its veteran broadcaster Jim Nantz was deeply emotional in his on-air remarks.
Indianapolis firefighter dies unexpectedly at Fort Bragg
FORT BRAGG, NC — The Indianapolis Fire Department and the Indiana National Guard are mourning the passing of one of their own. Sgt. Nathaniel J. Thomas, 34, died unexpectedly on Thursday while on orders at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Thomas served as an infantryman in the National Guard while also serving as a firefighter private for IFD. At the time of his passing, Thomas was on military leave from his firefighter role to fulfill training obligations for the military. Thomas leaves behind his wife, Morgan, and their five children.
Truck Driver Killed, Tractor-Trailer Catches Fire In NJ Crash: Report
WARREN COUNTY, NJ — One man is dead and another injured following a chaotic crash in Warren County this week, according to a NJ.com report. On Wednesday, around 7 a.m., authorities were called to milepost 8 on Route 80 in Knowlton on reports of a crash, it reads. Investigators found that a tractor-trailer being driven by Karwinder Singh, 25, of South Ozone Park, New York, had slammed into another, parked tractor-trailer, according to the report. Singh was pronounced dead at the scene, and his passenger, a 24-year-old New York man, was taken to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries, it adds. The parked tractor-trailer caught fire following the collision. The blaze was extinguished, and no other injuries were reported, according to NJ.com.