How workers died last week: Trench Collapse, falls, tree care, electrocution, machinery, scissor lift, firefighting, lawnmower incident, farming, occupational cancer, shootings and vehicular incidents. 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.
Two workers found dead in collapsed trench on Stockton construction site
STOCKTON, CA — Two construction workers were found dead Saturday morning after a trench collapsed at a construction site in Stockton, according to the Stockton Fire Department. Firefighters were called around 5:15 a.m. to a construction site in the 7900 block of North El Dorado Street for reports of two men trapped in a construction trench. The trench was approximately 10 feet deep prior to the collapse the fire department says.
Worker at Port of Baltimore dies after he was struck by equipment at Dundalk Marine Terminal
BALTIMORE, MD — A Port of Baltimore worker died Monday during a cargo-handling operation at the Dundalk Marine Terminal, state officials said. Maryland Transportation Authority police said officers were called shortly after 9 a.m. to the Dundalk Marine Terminal for a report of an injured person. MDTA police said officers found a man who was struck by a piece of equipment. Police said officers tried to administer life-saving measures and the man was taken to a hospital, where he died. An investigation is being led by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). He was later identified as 53-year-old David Deon Smith.
Company shares statement on employee death at Gilman soybean processing facility
GILMAN, IL — On Tuesday, a spokesperson from Incobrasa responded to WCIA’s request for comment regarding the death of employee Adrian Munoz at their Gilman facility. “Yesterday we lost a valued member of our team to a tragic accident,” they said in part. “Our thoughts and prayers are with [Munoz’s family] in this troubling time.” The company added that they will be coordinating with OSHA, “to conduct a thorough investigation as to the root cause of the incident.” They said more details will be available when that is complete.
31-year-old killed in factory accident in Comstock Twp.
KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI — A man was killed in a factory accident in Comstock Township last week. The man had been disassembling beams in a scissor lift on July 30 when a beam became unsecured and twisted, according to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). This caused the scissor lift to tip over backward. The man hit his head on the ground and was killed. He was 31.
Worker dies after incident at Wareham warehouse
WAREHAM, MA — A 56-year-old man died in an incident at a Wareham warehouse Wednesday morning, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz. First responders were called to Chatham Village Foods after receiving reports of an injured worker at the facility. Cruz said the worker was found behind a loading dock pinned by a tractor-trailer. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident remains under investigation at this time.
City of Salina employee dies after lawnmower incident at Oakdale Park
SALINA, KS — A City of Salina employee died Tuesday afternoon at Oakdale Park in a lawn mowing accident. The Salina Fire Department was dispatched to the park shortly before noon for a person in the river who was trapped beneath a zero-turn lawnmower, according to the city. When fire crews arrived, Salina police officers had already pulled the patient from beneath the mower and removed him from the river. Fire department personnel immediately began advanced life support measures at the scene. The patient was then taken to Salina Regional Health Center where he died.
Construction worker dies after falling through roof in Grant County, WI
GRANT COUNTY, WI — A construction worker in Grant County, Wisconsin died on Friday after falling through a roof at a construction site. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a construction site accident around 8:10 a.m. on Friday. They were told a construction worker fell through a roof and landed on a cement floor 30 feet below the roof. Deputies learned that the crew were at a property to repair a roof of a farm building. Medical aid was administered to the worker on the scene, but he was declared dead at the scene by the Grant County Coroners Office. The name of the victim is being withheld at this time.
Coroner identifies man electrocuted in industrial accident in Anderson Co.
PIEDMONT, SC — The Anderson County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim of a fatal electrocution on Friday afternoon. The coroner’s office said the industrial accident took place along Highway 86 in Piedmont. The victim, identified as 65-year-old Perry Ernest Anderson from Easley, was working on a heater/air conditioning unit when he was shocked by a live wire, according to the coroner. Responders found him on a scissor lift. He died on scene, the coroner’s office said. The coroner’s office ruled his death as accidental.
Death investigation underway at Ryobi Die Casting facility in Shelbyville, IN
SHELBYVILLE, IN — A death investigation is underway in Shelbyville, Indiana, after a worker at the Ryobi Die Casting facility died. The Shelby County Coroner’s Office said they were called to the facility on Friday to conduct a death investigation. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security, the Shelbyville Fire Department, and the Shelbyville Police Department, the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office were called to the scene to assist in the investigation. Details surrounding the victim’s death have not been released as authorities continue the investigation.
MSHA Confirms Fatality at Tata Chemicals
GREEN RIVER, WY — A person died at the Tata Chemicals Soda Ash Partners facility west of Green River July 29 according to a report from the Mine Safety and Health Administration. MSHA says the incident took place at 6 p.m. July 29, listing it as a slip or a fall. Further information was not available on MSHA’s website. SweetwaterNOW contacted the Tata Chemicals facility near Green River for further information as well as the Green River MSHA office, but those calls were not returned as of the publication of this post.
Flagger killed after getting struck by car in Wapakoneta construction zone
WAPAKONETA, OH — A flagger has died after being hit in a construction zone. Wednesday evening, the Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded to a crash on U.S. Route 33, east of State Route 65 in Clay Township. Tyler Joseph, 35, was traveling eastbound on U. S. 33 when he hit Troy Ray, 58, who was working as a flagger in a construction zone. Ray was pronounced dead on scene. Joseph was wearing his seatbelt and did not sustain any injuries. Drugs and alcohol are not suspected to be factors.
Worker hit and killed by falling tree, authorities say
PORTLAND, OR — An arborist died after being hit by a falling tree in Portland earlier this week, according to Portland Fire and Rescue. Authorities said a member of an arborist team was clearing trees when a tree unrelated to their work uprooted and landed on the worker. The person was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tree service worker dead after suffering medical emergency in northwest Harris County: Oct. 4
HARRIS COUNTY, TX — A man is dead after suffering a medical emergency while cutting down a tree in northwest Harris County on Wednesday morning, according to deputies. The Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office originally reported the 45-year-old man was shocked while working in the 13500 block of Cahill Drive.
Wellsville man dies in Interstate 70 tractor-trailer collision
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MO — A Wellsville man was killed, and another truck driver was injured Monday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash on westbound Interstate 70 in Montgomery County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the crash occurred at 1:31 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 3, near the 181.0-mile marker. According to the patrol, a 2026 International tractor-trailer was slowing with traffic and coming to a stop because of another incident ahead on Interstate 70. A 2020 Volvo tractor-trailer then struck the rear of the International. After the collision, the Volvo tractor-trailer traveled off the left side of the roadway and struck a barrier. The International tractor-trailer traveled off the right side of the roadway and came to a stop. The driver of the Volvo tractor-trailer, a 65-year-old man from Wellsville, was not wearing a seat belt. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Montgomery County EMS at 1:59 p.m. The driver of the International tractor-trailer, a 63-year-old man from Magnolia, Texas, suffered minor injuries. He was wearing a seat belt and was transported by Montgomery County EMS to Hermann Hospital.
Procession for fallen LVMPD Officer Austin Abdelnabi
LAS VEGAS, NV — Officer Austin Abdelnabi of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was killed in the line of duty Tuesday night while responding to a call in the east valley. Shortly before 4 p.m., police received multiple reports, including a 911 call that an armed suspect was walking by the intersection of Mountain Vista Street and Tropicana Avenue, acting erratically and waving a firearm in the air. Abdelnabi was shot and, despite lifesaving efforts, did not survive.
Las Vegas officer killed in shootout with suspect
LAS VEGAS, NV — A 30-year-old Las Vegas police officer died Tuesday afternoon following a gunbattle with an armed suspect in the east valley, Sheriff Kevin McMahill said. The gunman was also killed. A source identified the officer as Austin Abdelnabi. The Las Vegas Aviators minor league baseball team also displayed Abdelnabi’s name on the scoreboard at Las Vegas Ballpark and held a moment of silence for him Tuesday night. Metro had not confirmed his identity as of Tuesday night.
Appomattox County deputy killed in line of duty while helping at scene of 8-vehicle crash
APPOMATTOX COUNTY, VA — The Appomattox County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of its own after he was killed in the line of duty on Thursday. The sheriff’s office announced on Friday, August 7, that 33-year-old Deputy Burlie W. Duvall III was tragically killed while assisting at the scene of a crash.
Fond du Lac man found dead at Saputo Cheese Factory
FOND DU LAC COUNTY, WI –A 43-year-old Fond du Lac man was found dead early Friday morning inside the Saputo Cheese Factory in Fond du Lac County. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office said an employee called around 2 a.m. to report a medical emergency involving another employee at the facility on County Highway EE in Alto. Deputies responded and found the 43-year-old man dead inside the facility. The cause of death has not yet been determined, and an autopsy is pending. According to the sheriff’s office, the preliminary investigation indicates the man likely suffered a medical event while he was working.
Construction worker killed, 2 others hurt after out-of-control car crashes in Nesconset
SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — A man was killed when an out-of-control vehicle crashed into three construction workers in Nesconset on Monday morning. It happened on Townline Road and Terry Road at 6:43 a.m. The car then crashed into a tree. A construction helmet, work boots, and other items were left scattered across the ground following the fatal crash. One man was was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, another was seriously injured, and the third suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The victim was later identified as 38-year-old Joel Sicon-Porix.
Coroner identifies construction worker hit, killed by vehicle in Oconee County
OCONEE COUNTY, SC — The Oconee County Coroner’s Office reports it was called to a crash on Highway 28 on Friday. The South Carolina Highway Patrol said a 2012 Chevrolet pickup, traveling west on SC 28 around 2 p.m., hit the back of a 2014 Hyundai Elantra, which was stopped. The pickup then went off the right side of the road and hit a construction traffic flagger near Yellow Branch Falls. The coroner’s office identified the victim as 65-year-old Douglas “Doug” Edwards of Greenville. Edwards died at the scene from blunt force trauma injuries. His death was ruled accidental, according to the coroner’s office.
Dozer operator dies in Wrights Spring Fire efforts
KLAMATH FALLS, OR — A dozer operator died while working on the Wrights Spring Fire. Jason Ensign, 47, from Klamath Falls was working for Green Diamond Timber Resource Company when he was killed. He was building dozer lines and improving access ahead of the advancing fire in the Yahwee Plateau area.
Two Pilots of helicopter that crashed while fighting Utah wildfire confirmed dead, officials say
GRAND JUNCTION, CO — Two helicopter pilots who crashed while they were fighting a wildfire in Utah have died, officials confirmed Saturday. The pilots were killed when their Sikorsky Skycrane helicopter went down Friday morning, according to the Sevier County Sheriff. The helicopter was among those fighting a fire in the Fishlake National Forest. The crash ignited a new fire that spread to connect with the existing blaze, which has now scorched nearly 174 square miles (nearly 451skm). One victim was Miles Elliott, a Porterville native.
Quincy Fire Department mourns death of active-duty firefighter
QUINCY, MA — The Quincy Fire Department is mourning the death of active-duty firefighter Brian Snow, 47, of Quincy. Snow’s cause of death has not been shared publicly, but his obituary states that he died unexpectedly on Aug. 2. Snow was a proud Quincy firefighter for nearly seven years. Prior to joining the department, he served as a Hull firefighter for 13 years.
Longtime Dallas firefighter laid to rest with full honors
DALLAS, TX — Longtime Dallas firefighter Ted Carpenter was buried Saturday with full honors after dying Monday on his 48th birthday. Carpenter had served as a firefighter with Dallas Fire-Rescue since 2002. “Today Dallas Firefighter Ted Carpenter was laid to rest surrounded by hundreds of friends and family,” DFR said in a statement. “Everyone spoke about Ted’s kindness, humor, generosity, and faith.” Carpenter was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of peritoneal mesothelioma in October 2024. The Dallas Hispanic Firefighter Association said he was exposed to asbestos “while serving our community” in a fundraiser on GoFundMe, which raised more than $3,000 at the time it was active. Carpenter’s daughter Aubree also wrote about her father’s diagnosis in a separate fundraiser, which raised more than $29,000.
Adrian volunteer firefighter dies while responding to truck fire Friday
OLDHAM COUNTY, TX — An Adrian volunteer firefighter died while responding to a truck fire Friday. Texas DPS says around 4:15 Friday afternoon, troopers responded to the I-40 service road about four miles west of Adrian on reports of a single vehicle rollover. Officials say during the investigation they found that a 1984 Chevrolet K3500 Cheyenne Dually was traveling west around a curve on the south I-40 service road at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control of the vehicle, rolled and was ejected from the truck. Officials say 80-year-old Gary Wayne James was identified as the driver and was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials say he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Adrian Mayor Maggie Gruhlkey says that James is an Adrian Volunteer firefighter and was responding to a truck fire off I-40 when the crash occurred.
N.J. EMS chief dies after collapsing on duty
NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Neptune Township EMS Chief Bil Rosen died in the line of duty after collapsing while on the job on Aug. 4, the agency reported. He was 59. “It is with great sadness that we share the news that Neptune Township EMS Chief Bil Rosen collapsed and died in the line of duty this morning,” the agency wrote on social media. Rosen served as chief of Neptune Township EMS and held several leadership roles throughout New Jersey’s EMS system, including deputy emergency management coordinator for Neptune Office of Emergency Management, training module manager for the New Jersey EMS Task Force, deputy EMS coordinator for Monmouth County and as a longtime member of Shark River Hills First Aid.
Truck driver dies in Florence after medical incident
FLORENCE, AL — A truck driver died after what appears to be a medical emergency in Florence. Florence police said there was an incident where the driver of a commercial vehicle passed away inside his vehicle in a parking lot at the intersection of Florence Blvd and Huntsville Road. Detectives responded to the scene. It is believed the death was the result of a medical event. The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin. According to Shoals Insider, the truck was a logging truck.
Employee of gang reduction nonprofit fatally shot on the job in South Los Angeles
SOUTH LOS ANGELES, CA — A South Los Angeles nonprofit focused on gang intervention is mourning the death of an employee who was fatally shot while on the job. The killing marks the second death of an employee affiliated with the organization in less than two months. Reginald Foreman, 51, was working with a 2nd Call team on weed abatement near 59th Place and Crenshaw Boulevard in the Hyde Park neighborhood when he was shot, according to police. The shooting occurred at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Skipp Townsend, executive director of 2nd Call, said the attack appeared to happen without any interaction beforehand.
Early County man dead in ‘farming-related accident’
EARLY COUNTY, GA — A man died Friday afternoon in an incident in Early County, authorities said. According to Coroner Crystal Tolbert, the man, identified as 47-year-old Wesley Cleveland Sr., was in the process of spraying crops when a “farming-related accident” occurred. First responders were dispatched to the scene on Mill Place Road near the Kolomoki Road intersection, just north of Blakely, where Cleveland was ultimately pronounced dead.
Driver killed after tanker truck and tractor-trailer crash on Route 309 in Lehigh County
LEHIGH COUNTY, PA — A man was killed when a tractor trailer and tanker truck crashed on Friday afternoon, according to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office. The crash happened around 3:35 p.m. on Aug. 7 near State Route 309 and Gun Club Road in Lynn Township, officials said. The 52-year-old driver of the tanker truck died after crashing into a tractor-trailer, officials reported. No one else was hurt in the crash. The Lehigh County Coroner’s Office has identified the deceased as 52-year-old Keith Staines of Tamaqua.
HVAC worker shot, killed by coworker during argument over tools, police say
MEMPHIS, TN — Memphis police are investigating a shooting in Midtown on Tuesday morning that left a man dead. According to neighbors, the suspect and the victim were coworkers for an HVAC company Ashton Williams, 21, is now behind bars and charged with voluntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, property theft, and marijuana possession with the intent to distribute. The shooting happened just before 11:15 a.m. at a home on Roland Street. The victim was transported to the hospital in critical condition, where he later died. Police say Williams was detained at the scene for questioning before being charged. The victim has not yet been identified.
U-Haul employee charged after allegedly killing co-worker in dispute over drink
NASHVILLE, TN – An argument over a drink between two U-Haul employees turned deadly earlier this week when one worker allegedly shot and killed his co-worker at the company’s Annex Avenue location, according to police. The victim was identified as Fredrick K. Lytton, 56, who died after being shot multiple times during the altercation. According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call and found Lytton suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Officers rendered emergency aid before he was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he later died. Investigators arrested Devin A. Rice, 23, on a charge of criminal homicide. During an interview at police headquarters, Rice admitted to arguing with Lytton over a drink before pulling out a handgun and shooting him, according to police. Authorities said the shooting stemmed from a verbal dispute between the two employees while they were at work.
Driver found dead in semi-truck at Goodyear Chewy warehouse
GOODYEAR, Ariz. – Goodyear police are investigating the death of a man found unresponsive inside a semi-truck Friday morning at the Chewy fulfillment center near Litchfield Road and Van Buren Street. Authorities say there are no obvious signs of foul play following the Aug. 7 discovery along 143rd Avenue, though a warehouse worker tells FOX 10 the victim went unnoticed inside the trailer for roughly 20 hours after his shift ended. Officers with the Goodyear Police Department responded to the Chewy facility around 8:15 a.m. for a welfare check. Property staff asked for help after trying to contact the driver parked on the lot without success. Goodyear Fire Department personnel arrived shortly after and pronounced the man dead at the scene. Goodyear police have not publicly identified the deceased or confirmed his employment status with the company. Officials state the investigation remains active and ongoing as the medical examiner determines the official cause of death.
UCLA student dies in fall while interning in Seattle at Amazon for summer
Seattle, WA — A UCLA student has died after an accidental fall in Seattle, where she was working as a summer intern at Amazon. Dayanara Nicole Urbina was 21. According to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, Urbina suffered fatal blunt force injuries after a fall on the Burke-Gilman Trail on July 30. The busy trail passes through 20 miles of the city and is fully paved, serving as a main thoroughfare for joggers and cyclists. According to local media outlets, Urbina fell from a building’s open window onto the trail below. The medical examiner’s office ruled her manner of death an accident. Urbina was working as a summer marketing intern at Amazon and planned to start her senior year at UCLA afterward. The Seattle Police Department is investigating the circumstances of Urbina’s death. The woman’s mother told NBC4 that witnesses have told inconsistent stories about her daughter’s death, and she wants police to probe the accident further. She alleged Urbina was with work colleagues when the fall occurred.