Failure to Survive Work: The Weekly Toll

How workers died last week: Trench collapses, heat, rollovers, coal mining, firefighting, occupational cancer, cell tower, skid steer, explosions, grain bin incident, and crushed to death, shootings and vehicular collisions.  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.

Little Elm USPS worker’s death amid extreme heat warning triggers OSHA investigation

LITTLE ELM, TX — Federal workplace safety officials are investigating the death of a Little Elm postal worker who collapsed while delivering mail Monday as temperatures climbed into the triple digits. Umeshkumar Thakkar died on Thornhill Lane on Monday; coworkers, friends, and family gathered to honor him on Thursday. Thakkar, an Aubrey resident, had worked as a rural part-time flexible carrier since 2022. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating Thakkar’s death and has up to six months to complete the process, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Public Affairs.

Abilene city worker dies while on the job

ABILENE, TX — A Public Works Department employee died on the job Tuesday, the city of Abilene announced in a media release Wednesday morning. Frank Cortez, a 30-year employee, died in the performance of his duties. The media release said Cortez was a dedicated public servant who took pride in serving the community for three decades. They add his loss will be felt deeply by his coworkers and the city organization. No cause was given for his death.

St. Petersburg sanitation worker killed, suspect arrested after I-75 chase

FORT MYERS, FL — A suspect is hospitalized after authorities said the suspect killed a city employee, fled a traffic stop and barricaded themselves inside a vehicle before video showed a shootout with law enforcement on I-75. According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, on Wednesday officers responded to a reported shooting on 12th Avenue. Police said the victim was a 47-year-old woman who had worked as a St. Petersburg sanitation technician for 12 years. Police said the woman was sitting inside her front-loader sanitation truck when she was shot and killed. She lives behind four children. Investigators said the suspect and the victim knew each other, and the shooting was targeted.

24-year-old welder, musician killed in reported explosion while working in Indian Hill

VILLAGE OF INDIAN HILL, OH — Parker Lisle, a welder and fabricator at Greenacres, died Thursday at a hospital, one day after he was injured in a workplace accident at the facility. Parker Lisle, 24, died from his injuries at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on July 16, according to the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office. Greenacres later confirmed his identity when the foundation announced the loss of a “beloved teammate.” Lisle sustained severe burns in what was reported as an “explosion,” according to another Greenacres employee.

Investigation underway after Liberty contractor killed after ground collapse, city officials say

LIBERTY, TX — An investigation is underway after a contractor working on the Minglewood Wastewater Project died after the ground collapsed beneath them on Thursday, according to the City of Liberty. City officials say the contractor was standing next to a protective box placed in the ground for worker safety when the ground beneath gave way. “We thank God for our public servants from fire, police, and public works,” a City of Liberty spokesperson said. “They do difficult work and see things no one should have to see. Our thoughts and prayers are with family, friends, and coworkers of the person who lost their life.” According to city officials, the name of the worker is being withheld pending notification of the family.

Pennsylvania Coal Miner Killed

Wind Ridge, PA — A coal miner was killed at the Baily Mine in Wind Ridge, Pennsylvania on July 11. Thomas E. Cooley, a contractor working for NexGen Industrial Services Inc., was seriously injured after being engulfed by falling coal spillage while shoveling beneath a silo on July 11. He died on July 20.

Man dies from injuries caused by trencher at New Braunfels worksite

COMAL COUNTY, TX — One person is dead after suffering injuries caused by a trencher at a worksite in New Braunfels, Comal County officials say. Deputies were called to the 600 block of Gold Coast Drive around 11:19 a.m. Tuesday morning after being told that an accident involving a work crew performing trenching operations happened in the area. When they arrived, officials found 34-year-old Cornelio Martinez of Somerset, Texas, who was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries sustained in the accident. The initial investigation revealed that Martinez was working with a crew when the accident happened. No other injuries have been reported.

Tow truck driver killed in Sterling Heights collision with semi

STERLING HEIGHTS, MI — A 29-year-old tow truck driver has died after an early morning collision with a semi truck in Sterling Heights on Tuesday. Police say the crash occurred around 1:30 a.m. in the intersection of southbound Mound Road at Dobry Drive. The tow truck driver, identified as a man from Detroit, reportedly drove through a red light on westbound Dobry at Mound when it collided with a semi truck passing through the intersection on a green light. The tow truck driver was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. The semi truck driver refused medical treatment, police said. Alcohol doesn’t appear to be a factor in the crash, according to police, however the crash remains under investigation. FedEx releases statement after employee killed in crash with train in Hill County

A 25-year-old FedEx employee has died following a crash involving a train in Hill County.

HILL COUNTY, Texas — FedEx has released a statement after a 25-year-old employee was killed in a crash involving a train in Hill County. The Texas Department of Public Safety announced that 25-year-old Sheldon Gutierrez-Rangel of Dallas died after a FedEx vehicle was hit by a train near the intersection of SH 81 and FM 67 north of Itasca on Thursday, July 23. Texas DPS said the FedEx vehicle, identified by the department as a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicle, was trying to cross railroad tracks on a private drive when it was hit a Union Pacific train. Gutierrez-Rangel was the passenger in the vehicle at the time of the crash, according to DPS. He and the driver of the vehicle were immediately taken to local hospitals in critical condition. DPS announced in the early morning of July 24 that Gutierrez-Rangel had died of his injuries. At the time of writing, the driver remains in critical condition, according to DPS.

Airman dies in equipment incident at California Space Force base

SANTA BARBARA, CA — A U.S. airman died Thursday after heavy equipment he was operating rolled down an embankment at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Space Force identified the airman Friday as 1st Class Cedric Eneluna, 23, a member of the 30th Civil Engineer Squadron’s Pavements and Equipment Flight. No other personnel were injured in the incident, according to a Space Force release. A Safety Board Investigation was launched, and details will not be released until the completion of the investigation. The Santa Barbara Coroner’s office had not determined the official cause of death as of Friday. Eneluna joined the military in 2024, and he arrived to his first duty assignment at Vandenberg in August of that year, the release reads.

Construction worker dies two weeks after being struck by car in Prairie Village

KANSAS CITY, MO — A construction worker who was hit by a car two weeks ago in Prairie Village has died from his injuries, police announced Monday morning. According to the Prairie Village Police Department, Michael Wayne Porter of Kansas City, Kansas, died from his injuries at a hospital after he was struck by a car on July 6. Investigators say that on the morning of the crash, at about 11 a.m., officers were called to the area of West 79th and Ash streets on a reported injury accident. When officers arrived, they discovered a construction worker, later identified as Porter, suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. He died just 14 days later.

Cochise Good Samaritan Truck Driver Killed Guiding Traffic On I-10

Phoenix, AZ — A 28-year-old truck driver who pulled off eastbound Interstate 10 to help at the scene of a rollover was struck and killed by a passing vehicle, according to his family and state authorities. Relatives identified him as Timothy Patasalos and said he had gotten out of his semi to signal approaching drivers to steer around the wreck when a second vehicle hit him. He was taken to a hospital in Willcox, where he later died. The Arizona Department of Public Safety says the chain of events started Tuesday on eastbound I-10 near Dragoon Road, when an initial rollover crash forced traffic to come to a stop. According to 13 News, one Good Samaritan at the scene was fatally struck and another person was transported to a Willcox hospital, and the AZDPS Vehicular Crimes Unit was called in to investigate. Family members told FOX 10 Phoenix that Patasalos, a 28-year-old semi-truck driver, had pulled over during stormy weather to help at the site of a rolled-over semi. They said he was trying to flag drivers safely around the wreckage when he was hit. Loved ones described him as the type of person who would always stop to help a stranger

Police identify medical transport driver killed in Schenectady building crash

SCHENECTADY, NY — Police have identified the driver of a non emergency medical transport vehicle who died after crashing into a building in Schenectady. The building is the headquarters for Transfinder, a software company. Schenectady police officers on routine patrol in the 400 block of State Street found the crash at about 12:37 a.m. at 440 State St., where a motor vehicle had struck a building. The driver, later identified as Lamont Chambers, 59, was treated at the scene by Schenectady Fire paramedics and then taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Police say he was driving for Suburban Transportation and may have had a heart attack before the crash.

Gilbert firefighter dies after battle against occupational cancer

GILBERT, AZ — An East Valley firefighter was laid to rest on Monday after a long battle with occupational cancer. Gilbert Captain Dave Tavares died on July 3 after a “long and brave fight” against occupational cancer, according to the Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department. Tavares spent more than 22 years in the fire service, 19 of those with the Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department, where he held many roles, including service on the department’s honor guard. He retired as a captain in 2023. Before joining GFRD, he served in the Marines.

Crashed firefighting helicopter to be recovered Tuesday as part of investigation

GOLD MOUNTAIN, CO — The helicopter that crashed while battling the Gold Mountain fire is set to be recovered from Silver Jack Reservoir on Tuesday. The K-MAX helicopter went down in the reservoir near Gunnison on July 12, killing pilot Nicholas Dale. A spokesperson with the National Transportation Safety Board, one of the agencies charged with investigating the incident, said the wreckage would be pulled from the reservoir Tuesday, using a helicopter if needed. Once removed from the water, the aircraft will be trailered more than 300 miles to Greeley to undergo investigation into the accident. The investigation is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. A preliminary report from the Federal Aviation Administration found that the crash occurred under “unknown circumstances” and that the helicopter became “inverted” in the reservoir.

St. Paul Leasing-Office Triple Homicide Leaves Three Employees Dead; Tenant Charged in Killings

ST. PAUL, MN — Three apartment-management employees were killed inside a St. Paul leasing office Monday afternoon, prompting evacuations, an intensive search and the eventual arrest of a tenant whom prosecutors accuse of carrying out the shootings following a dispute over parking access. Police responded shortly after 4:10 p.m. July 20 to reports of gunfire at an apartment complex in the 1500 block of St. Paul Avenue, near the Davern Park Apartments in the Highland neighborhood. Officers entered the leasing office and found three adults dead. Police secured the surrounding area and evacuated portions of the apartment complex while investigators searched for the person responsible and determined whether residents faced any continuing threat. The victims were later identified as: Nansi G. Fuentes Zambrano, 25, of Inver Grove Heights, Dena M. Silcox, 56, of St. Paul and Adam J. Wilwerding, 43, of Oakdale. All three worked for the company responsible for managing the apartment property.

UPS Worker Killed In Horsham Township

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA — A worker was struck and killed by a UPS truck on Friday afternoon, police said. Horsham Township Police said the employee was killed at the UPS distribution hub on Blair Mill Road. Police are investigating the incident and have not released any details regarding the fatality or the name of the victim as of yet. Horsham Township police, fire, and EMS responded to the distribution complex at 12:36 p.m., authorities said. The fatal accident happened inside the complex so there was no impact on drivers on Blair Mill Road.

Police identify victim of deadly construction incident in Putnam Valley

PUTNAM VALLEY, NY — Police have identified the man who died during a construction incident in Putnam Valley. Police had initially reported that they responded to a report of a person who had been run over by a skid steer. However, they currently say there is no indication the person was run over, as initially believed and reported. Officials say 56-year-old Joseph Petti was operating a construction vehicle when he fell and hit his head. Petti was found deceased at the scene. Police say it appears to be accidental, but it is under investigation.

Cell tower worker killed in accident near Castle Danger

CASTLE DANGER, MN — A worker is dead after an accident while working on a cell tower in Castle Danger. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office say, on July 15, 2026, at 2:35 p.m., they received a report that a worker had been struck by cable while working on a cell tower on Bunker Hill Road. The victim, 31-year-old Eduard Shelipov of Lakeville, Minnesota. He was taken to a hospital in Duluth, where he was pronounced dead. OSHA says they are investigating the incident.

Upstate man killed when truck tractor rolls over him at Commack Target

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A truck driver from upstate was fatally struck Tuesday in Commack by a truck tractor he had exited and then rolled backward over him, according to the Suffolk County Police Department, which is trying to figure out how that happened. The driver, 62-year-old Abdelmontalab Sati, of upstate Amsterdam, was found unconscious at about 4:42 p.m. at 98 Veterans Memorial Hwy., his legs pinned behind the back of the truck, a 2023 International, the department wrote in a news release. Another truck driver saw Sati pinned behind the tractor and called 911, the police press office wrote by email. “No one witnessed the incident, and there is no video, but detectives determined that the parking brake had not been activated,” the email said. Sati was pronounced dead at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital in Smithtown. The release did not provide the truck model, but some 2023 International brand tractors have been subject to recalls, including for a parking brake problem, according to recallcheck.net.

Man accused of ‘unloading a whole magazine’ into co-worker at lumber yard; victim shot 22 times

MASON, OH — A man is dead and a suspect is in custody after a shooting Wednesday afternoon inside a Carter Lumber warehouse in Ohio, according to Mason police. Officers were called to the facility around 1:15 p.m. for a report of a shooting inside the company’s door manufacturing facility. “Initial reports advised an employee had been shot inside one of the warehouses,” a police officer said. “Upon arrival, officers located a deceased male.” David Cohen, 34, of Hamilton, was identified as the suspect and charged with murder. The victim was identified as Vincent Stoetzel, 29. A friend described him as “funny and the kind of man you want to know,” adding that “he would give the shirt off his back, offer you a hot meal if you’re hungry. All around hardworking father making a good life for his family.”

Driver hits, kills sanitation worker

MEMPHIS, TN — A sanitation worker was killed after he was hit by a car Wednesday evening. The crash happened around 5 p.m. on Old Millington Road, just south of Little John Road, in north Shelby County. Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says the worker was hit by a passing vehicle. The worker was pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies say the driver stayed at the scene following the crash; it’s unclear if that person will face any charges.

20-year-old worker dies after becoming trapped in Ashland County grain bin

ASHLAND COUNTY, OH — A 20-year-old man died Wednesday after becoming trapped inside a grain bin in Ashland County, authorities said. According to a release from the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, a 911 call was received around 2:38 p.m. reporting a person trapped inside a grain bin at 1190 Milton Township Road 1656. Deputies and the Ashland Fire Division responded to the scene and learned a male worker inside the grain bin was not responding to radio transmissions. First responders immediately began rescue operations, located the worker and removed him from the grain bin, according to the sheriff’s office. The worker was identified as Ian Atkinson, 20, of Hayesville. He was taken by EMS to UH Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland, where he died from his injuries.

2 VDOT contractors killed in shooting along Route 1, Virginia State Police say

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VA — Two VDOT contractors have died after a shooting in Chesterfield County Friday morning, according to the Virginia State Police. Troopers were called to a VDOT equipment yard along Route 1, near the entrance ramps to Route 288, just before 9:30 a.m. Friday morning, Virginia State Police spokesperson Sgt. Jessica Shehan confirmed one man died and another had serious, life-threatening injuries. Shehan clarified that the men were not employed by VDOT but were working for a company contracted by VDOT. The second contractor died from his injuries Friday afternoon, state police confirmed. The contractors have been identified as Rai’Shon Eugene Delarge, 30, and Philip Avery Wilson, 34, both of Emporia, VSP said.

2 truck drivers killed in head-on semi crash in Twin Falls County

TWIN FALLS, ID — Two California truck drivers were killed early Thursday morning after their semitrucks collided head-on on U.S. Highway 93 in Twin Falls County. The crash happened about 4:40 a.m. near milepost 14.3, according to Idaho State Police. Investigators say a 33-year-old man from San Carlos was driving a 2021 Freightliner southbound when, for reasons still under investigation, the truck crossed the center line and struck a northbound 2022 Freightliner head-on. The northbound truck was driven by a 60-year-old man from Sacramento. Police say he was wearing a seat belt. Both drivers died at the scene.

Local man killed in semi rollover on I-480

HUDSON, OH — A Cleveland Heights man was killed early Thursday in a crash on Interstate 480. According to Hudson police, John Easley, 75, was driving a semi-truck with a trailer southeast on I-480. The vehicle lost control east of the Stow Road bridge, went off the road and down an embankment, according to a press release. Easley was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mobile home collapse kills 1 worker in Magoffin County

SALYERSVILLE, KY — A man died Monday after a mobile home collapsed on him while he and three others were working to level it at a trailer court in Magoffin County, according to the Magoffin County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred Monday afternoon at Calvin Cain Trailer Court in Salyersville. Investigators say four people were underneath a single-wide mobile home while working to level it when the home slipped from the block piers supporting it and fell. Officials say 63-year-old Malcom Barry III became trapped beneath the home. Emergency crews responded, but Barry died at the scene.

Medical examiner identifies employee killed at North Royalton city building

NORTH ROYALTON, OH — The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim killed at the North Royalton Service Department Building on Friday. The city confirmed that police and state agents responded to the city building after an employee reportedly died. The medical examiner identified the victim as 52-year-old David Smerek, of Brunswick. They confirmed to the I-Team that they received the call as an apparent homicide.

Truck driver killed in Idaho crash

RATHDRUM, ID — A truck driver in Idaho was killed in a fiery crash in Idaho on Friday. The Idaho State Police (ISP) issued a press release that the agency is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred Friday morning at approximately 05:30 AM on State Highway 53 near milepost 7 in Kootenai County, Idaho. ISP stated its preliminary investigation indicates a 2002 Peterbilt work truck driven by a 51-year-old male from Spirit Lake, Idaho was traveling westbound on Highway 53, failed to maintain its lane of travel, crossed the eastbound lane, ran off the roadway and crashed into a tree on the eastbound roadside, overturned, and caught fire. The driver and sole occupant of the Peterbilt appeared to have been wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and succumbed to injuries at the scene.

4th firefighter dies due to injuries suffered from Colorado wildfire

GRAND JUNCTION, CO — A fourth firefighter died due to injuries suffered fighting a wildfire in western Colorado. The U.S. Department of the Interior shared early Saturday morning that 43-year-old Nathan Matthews from Lincoln, Nebraska, one of two firefighters injured in the June 27 burn-over that killed Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson and Sydney Watson, had also died. He was receiving medical treatment for the burn injuries he suffered during the incident.

Pilot identified in fatal Pocahontas County helicopter crash

MARLINTON, WV — The pilot who was killed in a helicopter crash in Pocahontas County Friday morning has been identified. Leo Basile, 57, of Arthurdale, was killed while working for Waco Oil & Gas, according to a company spokesperson. The aircraft, which crashed near Marlinton at approximately 7:47 a.m., was owned by the Gilmer County-based company. West Virginia State Police say it ultimately crashed near 6755 Huntersville Road, which is a property owned by Waco Oil & Gas. West Virginia State Police say Basile was the sole occupant of the aircraft and was pronounced dead at the scene.