How workers died last week: Trench collapse, explosions, falling objects, tree care, shootings, airplane incidents, vehicular collisions, machinery, rollovers, occupational cancer. 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.
Victim identified following trench collapse at North Texas apartment, officials say
COPPELL, TX — A worker has died after a trench collapsed on them while working at an apartment complex in northwest Dallas near Coppell, according to Dallas Fire-Rescue. Officials say first responders were called at 3:40 p.m. to the 2200 block of Sage Hill after a worker was trapped while working on the foundation of an apartment complex as concrete was being poured Thursday afternoon. Dallas Fire-Rescue says workers were digging a tunnel underneath the building when it collapsed on a 29-year-old worker. In a statement, officials say the building remains intact. Friday, the Dallas County Medical Examiner identified the worker as Josias David Pedro Aquino.
Truck driver killed in rollover crash in Fresno County
FRESNO, CA — A truck driver was killed Friday morning after a big rig overturned on Interstate 5 near Avenal, according to the California Highway Patrol. The fatal collision happened around 10:30 a.m. just north of Avenal Cutoff Road. Authorities have identified 62-year-old Gurmeet Barha as the driver of the truck. Officers say Barha was driving a white 2020 Freightliner Cascadia truck tractor and was pulling a trailer when, for reasons still under investigation, he steered the truck into the center median. The impact caused the truck and trailer to overturn. Authorities say Barha was partially ejected during the crash and suffered fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators have not determined whether alcohol or drugs played a role in the collision. The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.
Worker for skydiving company dies after walking into spinning plane propeller
TUCSON, AZ — A man who worked for a skydiving company was killed after he walked into a spinning plane propeller at an Arizona airport. The Marana Police Department identified the victim as 40-year-old Eduardo Hernandez, who worked for SkyDive Marana. Hernandez was part of the crew on a Cessna 208B that landed just before 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Marana Regional Airport. He got off the plane and walked into its propeller, which was still spinning, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. An investigation into the incident is ongoing, but police say there are no signs of foul play and it appears to have been an accident.
23-year-old Lewis County man killed in workplace accident in Ritchie County
RITCHIE COUNTY, WV — A 23-year-old man was killed in a workplace accident in Ritchie County. Andrew Davis, of Lewis County, was critically injured on a Helmerich & Payne rig on June 8th at approximately 9:40 p.m., officials said. Ritchie County EMS transported Davis from the Minear well pad off Route 74 near Pullman to Camden Clark Medical Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. “We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our thoughts are with his family, friend, and coworkers during the incredibly difficult time,” Helmerich & Payne Vice President of Global Communications & Community Relations Stephanie Higgins said in a statement to 5 News.
Farm accident claims life of Patterson man
PATTERSON, NY — Family and friends are mourning a 27-year-old man who died Sunday night after heavy machinery fell on him while he was working at his farm in Patterson. Tyler Pfister was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead on the scene.
UT Canyon Base Jump Kills Two, Including Daredevil Who Performed With Madonna
GRAND COUNTY, UT — A weekend BASE jumping accident in a Utah canyon killed two people, one of them a daredevil athlete best known for performing onstage with Madonna at the 2012 Super Bowl, authorities said. The sheriff’s office in Grand County, Utah, confirmed one of the dead was Andy Lewis, an extreme athlete known for feats in BASE jumping, a dangerous sport that involves parachuting to the ground after jumping from a tall fixed object such as a building, a bridge or a desert cliff overlooking a deep canyon. The victims had been conducting a tandem jump in which two people are harnessed together, according to a social media post by Aerial Arts Moab, an acrobatics company that described Lewis as “co-owner and best friend.”
Fatal explosion at Miami-Dade maintenance facility
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL — An explosion at a Miami-Dade County maintenance facility in Florida, United States, resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries, prompting a large emergency response and an ongoing investigation into the cause. The incident occurred on 15 June 2026 during operational activity at the site and involved areas associated with fuel storage and vehicle maintenance infrastructure. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office were among the agencies deployed, alongside hazardous materials and firefighting teams, following reports of an explosion and subsequent fire. Authorities confirmed that the facility includes underground fuel storage infrastructure. Emergency operations were carried out across the site as responders brought the incident under control and secured the surrounding area. The cause of the explosion has not yet been established. Investigations remain ongoing.
An engineer marking his wedding anniversary, service members and Boeing employees are among the victims of B-52 bomber crash
KERN COUNTY, CA — A flight test engineer teaching his daughter to drive, a husband who just marked his fourth wedding anniversary and a weapons systems officer eagerly anticipating the flight were among those killed when a B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff Monday in Southern California. They were part of a crew of military service members and government contractors aboard the mammoth military plane that took off at 11:20 a.m. on a routine test mission from Edwards Air Force Base, the storied desert base about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The plane was supporting a program to modernize the aging fleet. The Air Force released the names of all eight victims Wednesday, after notifying their relatives: Col. Gregory Watson, 53, of Shreveport, Louisiana. Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella, 40. Retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton, 50, a resident of Tehachapi, California. He was a pilot working for Boeing. Maj. Alexander Davis, 34. Maj. Robert Dee, 40. Maj. Brad Hovey, 35. Christopher Rischar, 41. Jeromy Smith, 32. “These Airmen were more than coworkers. They were friends, mentors, teammates and valued members of our Edwards and Air Force family,” Col. Thomas Tauer, 412th Test Wing commander, told workers and families at the base, according to a statement shared by the Air Force.
Lewis County man killed during ‘incident’ on Ritchie County oil rig
ELLENBORO, WV — A Lewis County man is dead after suffering what company officials described as “critical” injuries on a Ritchie County-based oil rig, according to State Police. According to Carrie Clark, the Senior Manager of Corporate Communications with Helmerich & Payne, on June 8 at around 9:40 p.m., “an incident” occurred at one of the company’s rigs and one of the company’s employees suffered critical injuries. The employee was transported to a local medical facility, where he later died. An obituary provided by the victim’s family members confirmed their identity as Andrew Lee Davis, 23, of Lewis County.
Victim identified in Miami-Dade Fire Rescue facility explosion
MIAMI, FL — The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office has identified the man killed in an explosion at a fire-rescue maintenance depot. Leomar Suris , 36, was found dead just after 10 a.m. Monday at the facility at 6100 SW 87th Ave. , north of Kendall, deputies say. The depot is where fire-rescue vehicles get fueled up and serviced. Suris “leaves behind two children along with a community of loving family members, coworkers, and many friends,” according to a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for his funeral and family. The fundraiser has raised $18,000 in donations as of Thursday. Three people, including a MDSO lieutenant, were taken to the hospital by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue . Another man transported himself to the hospital. All were in stable condition.
Texas DPS trooper killed in crash while attempting traffic stop in Childress County
CHILDRESS COUNTY, TX — A Texas Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol trooper was killed Wednesday afternoon after a crash while attempting to conduct a traffic stop in Childress County. According to DPS, Trooper Sergio Romero, 27, was attempting to stop a vehicle on U.S. Highway 287 near Childress at approximately 4 p.m. when a truck-tractor semi-trailer pulled out in front of his patrol unit. Authorities said Romero’s patrol vehicle collided with the semi-trailer. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Construction worker dead after hit-and-run in Wisconsin
MADISON, WI — A construction worker is dead and one man is in custody following a hit-and-run incident Thursday night in Wisconsin. According to a release from the Madison Police Department, a construction worker was hit and killed by a white van at 10:03 p.m. on US Highway 51. Police say the van did not stop and continued heading south on the highway. Officers were able to find the suspect vehicle in a neighborhood on the southside of the city by utilizing traffic cameras.
Worker dies at construction site for Broncos’ new training facility
CENTENNIAL, CO — A construction worker died after they were found unresponsive by coworkers in a “confined ceiling area” at the Denver Broncos’ new training facility, according to the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies with the sheriff’s office and firefighters from South Metro Fire Rescue responded to the facility at 13409 East Broncos Parkway around 8:20 p.m. on Monday after fellow workers found the victim unresponsive. Crews used special tools to access the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation led by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, is currently underway.
Former employee accused of killing man, injuring another at Wilmington Hospital
WULMINGTON, DE — A former employee accused of shooting two young men at Wilmington Hospital in Delaware, killing one victim and injuring the other, had just been fired from his job earlier that day, a source confirmed with NBC10. The shooting occurred on Tuesday, June 16, around 3:30 p.m. at Wilmington Hospital along the 500 block of West 14th Street in Wilmington, Delaware. Police said a gunman – identified as John Wallace-Bey, 23, of New Castle, Delaware – shot two 19-year-old men inside the hospital. Workers told NBC10 the shooting occurred near the hospital’s cafeteria. A spokesperson for ChristianaCare confirmed with NBC10 that Wallace-Bey as well as the two shooting victims were all employees at Wilmington Hospital. A source told NBC10 that Wallace-Bey was fired from the hospital earlier that day before the shooting took place. One of the victims died from his injuries while another was placed in critical but stable condition. Officials have not yet released the name of the man who died. They also described the incident as an isolated and targeted shooting.
Wichita restaurant staff mourning popular manager, who collapsed on the job
WICHITA, KS — Employees of a local sandwich shop are mourning the sudden loss of its popular general manager, who died on the job over the weekend. Anthony Jackson, 29, had worked as a manager for franchisee Chris Stong’s local Jersey Mike’s Subs restaurants since spring 2020. He arrived at the restaurant at 2564 N. Greenwich early on Sunday morning to prepare for the day, but when the next employee arrived, she found him collapsed on the floor and called 911. Doctors suspect he had a blood clot or an aneurysm, his Jersey Mike’s supervisors said.
Truck driver killed in rollover crash in Fresno County
FRESNO, CA — A truck driver was killed Friday morning after a big rig overturned on Interstate 5 near Avenal, according to the California Highway Patrol. The fatal collision happened around 10:30 a.m. just north of Avenal Cutoff Road. Authorities have identified 62-year-old Gurmeet Barha as the driver of the truck. Officers say Barha was driving a white 2020 Freightliner Cascadia truck tractor and was pulling a trailer when, for reasons still under investigation, he steered the truck into the center median. The impact caused the truck and trailer to overturn. Authorities say Barha was partially ejected during the crash and suffered fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Trucker dead after fiery crash in Wyoming
LARAMIE, WY — One man is dead and another hospitalized after a fiery crash involving a semi-truck on Highway 287 south of Laramie. According to a news release issued by the Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP), on June 15, at approximately 4 a.m., WHP troopers were alerted to a semi truck that had flipped and was on fire. Troopers arrived to find a 2020 Hino commercial vehicle had been northbound near mile marker 413 on Highway 287 when it crossed into the southbound lane, then veered off the roadway to the left. The vehicle struck a guardrail leading up to a bridge, its left tires crossing the guardrail and riding it, with half the vehicle on either side of the railing, according to WHP’s release. A piece of the guard rail became lodged in the right fuel tank before the vehicle rolled off the bridge and onto its roof, partially blocking the railroad tracks below. Police say the vehicle then quickly caught fire. The driver, Roberto Gavidia, 43, of Centennial, Colorado, died at the scene of the crash. The passenger in the vehicle was able to escape and was transported by ambulance to Ivinson Memorial Hospital, where they were treated and released. Driver fatigue is believed to be the primary cause in this deadly crash. With this crash, there have been 50 fatalities on Wyoming roadways in 2026, compared to 46 in 2025 and 39 in 2024.
Cement truck driver killed in crash on FM 1187 near Ben Day Murrin Road
TARRANT COUNTY, TX — One person died in a single-vehicle cras h on Highway 1187 on Tuesday afternoon, officials with the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. When deputies arrived at the scene of the crash about 1 p.m., they found that a cement truck had left the roadway and come to rest in a ditch, according to the statement. The driver of the truck was trapped inside and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will identify the driver after his next of kin have been notified. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, officials said.
Family identifies employee killed in Las Vegas Five Below shooting
LAS VEGAS, NV — The family of the employee shot and killed inside a Five Below at a northwest Las Vegas shopping center identified him as police worked to apprehend the suspect and investigate a motive. A family member shared with News 3 that the victim was 31-year-old Brandan Lucas. His mother, along with his cousin, Shekira Wirght drove to the parking lot outside of the business by Lake Mead Boulevard and Rainbow Boulevard on Thursday. They came to pick up Lucas’ car that was in the parking lot outside of the store, according to Wright.
One employee killed, another injured during armed robbery of Jackson store
JACKSON, MS — The Jackson Police Department is investigating a deadly overnight shooting. The incident happened off North Flag Chapel Road around 1 a.m. Friday at what appears to be a local food mart. The Jackson Police Department responded to an armed robbery call at the business. When JPD arrived at the scene, two male employees had sustained gunshot wounds. One of the unidentified victims died as a result of his injuries, and the other victim was taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition.
Investigators believe deadly North Linden shooting stemmed from robbery
COLUMBUS, OH — A 28-year-old man is dead after a shooting in North Linden on Tuesday night, according to the Columbus Division of Police. Officers responded to the report of a shooting around 10:10 p.m. in the 3600 block of Karl Road. Police said one person, later identified as Javanie Anderson, was found shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:15 p.m. In an update on Wednesday, police said the preliminary investigation indicates that the shooting stemmed from a robbery involving several individuals who were in the area just before the incident.
Arborist killed by falling tree branch is Michigan’s 17th workplace death of 2026
EDWARDSBURG, MI — A 52-year-old arborist died after being struck in the head by a falling tree branch in Edwardsburg, Michigan, earlier this week, officials said. On June 15, the arborist was sitting on a log when a branch from a nearby tree fell and hit the victim in the head, according to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. No further information was released. MIOSHA reports that the farm worker’s death is the 17th workplace death in 2026 and the fifth in 30 days.
Marion County firefighter dies after crash
MARION COUNTY, FL — Evan Lewis, a firefighter and EMT at Marion County Fire Rescue, died Friday after a crash last week, the department announced on Facebook. “Despite the tireless efforts of medical professionals and the unwavering support of his family, his injuries proved to be insurmountable,” MCFR said. The crash happened on June 14. “As an organ donor, Evan’s family made the courageous decision to honor his final wish to help others.” a news release says.”
Charlotte County Firefighter-Paramedic Jan A. ‘Jay’ Sanders Jr. dies from ‘occupational cancer’
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL — Jay Sanders Jr. was so young when he started as a first responder, he was not yet old enough to drive a fire truck. Charlotte County Fire & EMS announced the death of Firefighter/Paramedic Jan A. “Jay” Sanders Jr. this week. He died Thursday, June 18 from “occupational cancer.” Sanders served Charlotte County for more than 35 years, according to fire officials.
Rodrigo Torres Killed in One Beverly Hills Construction Accident
BEVERLY HILLS, CA — A construction worker identified as Rodrigo Torres has tragically died in a truck accident at the One Beverly Hills construction site. Los Angeles County officials are saying the accident took place on June 2. Rodrigo Torres was working as a flagger when he was struck by a truck. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the Beverly Hills construction site to help the injured worker. Sadly, Rodrigo Torres was pronounced dead at the scene of the site.
Construction worker struck, killed in work zone in Upper Arlington
UPPER ARLINGTON, OH — A worker was struck and killed Friday morning within a work zone on Kenny Road near Millcreek Lane, according to a spokesman from the City of Upper Arlington. According to the city spokesman, officers determined the individual had been struck by a dump truck while working in the area. The Upper Arlington Fire Division transported the individual to the hospital in critical condition. The individual was pronounced dead at the hospital, according to the spokesman from the City of Upper Arlington. The Upper Arlington Police Department continues to investigate the incident. Since the incident occurred within a work zone, investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are also involved.
Overdue plane found crashed in Alaska mountains; pilot dead
ANCHORAGE, AK — A pilot was found dead Friday after search crews located an overdue small plane that had crashed in mountainous terrain southeast of Cordova, according to Alaska State Troopers. The Piper Pacer aircraft left Cordova at approximately 10:30 a.m. Thursday. Troopers said they were notified around 8 p.m. on the same day that an aircraft was overdue. The plane was believed to have been flying between Yakutat and Fairbanks, with only the pilot on board. Aircraft from the Alaska Air National Guard and Alaska Wildlife Troopers were launched as part of the search. Around 4 p.m. Friday, a helicopter crew with the Alaska Air National Guard found the wreckage about 40 miles southeast of Cordova, near Kanak Island, troopers said. The pilot was found dead inside the aircraft.
Tow truck driver dies in work-related incident on I-275 in Kenton County, police say
CINCINNATI, OH — A tow truck driver died Saturday morning in a work-related incident on eastbound Interstate 275, according to the Kenton County Police Department. Randall “Randy” Kuntsman, 65, of Independence, was loading a vehicle from a previous crash around 9:20 a.m. when the tow truck began to roll downhill, leading to his death, according to police. It was initially reported as a crash, but after police reviewed the scene, investigators determined it was a work-related incident.
Construction worker hit, killed by speeding driver in Shiloh is identified
SHILOH, IL — A construction worker died Friday after being hit in a Shiloh construction work zone. St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. identified the victim Saturday as Murphy Rogers of East St. Louis.
Employee killed in crash outside Central Mass. restaurant
EAST BROOKFIELD, MA — One person was killed Saturday following a crash outside a Central Massachusetts restaurant. Michael Earl, an employee at The Clam Box in East Brookfield, was killed in the crash, according to a Sunday-morning post on Facebook from the restaurant. The crash occurred Saturday afternoon, according to a social media post from East Brookfield police. A medical helicopter airlifted a victim from the scene. The Clam Box, a seafood restaurant and ice cream parlor on West Main Street, identified the victim as Earl, an employee who had worked at the restaurant for several years.
DPS investigating fatal Bell County crash that killed Temple truck driver
TEMPLE, TX — A Temple man was killed and a Killeen woman was seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash Thursday on State Highway 36 near the northwest Bell County line, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. DPS identified the man as 42-year-old Jonathan Aaron Thomas of Temple. Authorities said Thomas was driving a 2013 Mack truck southeast on SH 36 when he lost control of the vehicle. According to a preliminary investigation, a tire became detached from a trailer being towed by a third vehicle traveling toward Thomas’truck. Investigators said Thomas took evasive action to avoid hitting the tire, causing the Mack truck to cross into the northbound lane and collide with an oncoming 2018 Freightliner delivery truck. The Freightliner was driven by a 25-year-old woman from Killeen, DPS said. Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene by Bell County Justice of the Peace Cliff Coleman.
UPDATE: 3 workers killed in shooting at Midland business, according to workers
MIDLAND, TX — The Midland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a possible shooting at a business near N County Road and Highway 80. The business is JAT Partner Logistics. According to workers at the business, three workers were shot and killed. Witnesses said the suspected shooter arrived at the business and intending to set the building on fire. One worker then confronted the suspect outside, and the worker was shot and killed. According to workers at the scene, a group of employees was in a meeting inside the building when the suspect entered and opened fire before turning the gun on himself.