How workers died last week: Explosion, falls, construction incidents, drowning, firefighting, falling objects, farming incident, 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.
San Jose city electrician killed while repairing streetlight
SAN JOSE, CA — A San Jose city worker was struck and killed while on the job this week. His family identified him as Ari Green, 50. They said Green took great pride in his work as an electrician for San Jose’s Department of Transportation, where his crew repaired 50 to 100 streetlights each month that had been stripped of copper wire, according to his family.
Two people confirmed dead following Sand Springs business explosion
SAND SPRINGS, OK. -The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is working in conjunction with ATF on the investigation into a deadly explosion at a Sand Springs business complex that killed two people early Thursday morning. The explosion happened around 1 a.m. in the Morrow-Gill business complex near South Lincoln Avenue. Surveillance video from a nearby building captured a bright flash and the explosion. Multiple emergency crews responded, including Sand Springs firefighters and police, PSO and Oklahoma Natural Gas. Investigators said the explosion was chemical-related and occurred during the THC extraction process at an extraction facility. The business is an extraction facility, where THC is extracted from marijuana leaves. Investigators said that process was underway when the explosion occurred. There are three extraction shops in the business complex. Sand Springs Fire confirmed one person was killed in the explosion. The body has since been removed from the property, but authorities have not released the person’s identity. A second person was taken to a hospital in critical condition, officials confirm they later died at the hospital. The victims were identified as Michael Newman and Stephen Scott.
One dead in south Austin house collapse after high winds on Thursday
AUSTIN, TX — A man is dead after a house under construction collapsed in south Austin due to high winds Thursday afternoon. Officials with Travis County ESD 5 said that responders received a 911 call around 4:20 p.m. Thursday asking for medical assistance. Crews arrived at the scene at 12002 Salvador St. about five minutes later and found a house had collapsed. Four men working construction were inside the structure when it collapsed; two managed to get out, with the other two trapped inside. Travis County ESD 5 says that the entire house collapsed, including the second floor. One of the trapped workers was conscious, breathing, and pinned beneath the framework of the house. The other was pronounced dead at the scene.
Family seeks answers after 67-year-old security guard killed in police-involved shooting in Gary
GARY, IN — Family members of a 67-year-old security guard fatally shot by police at a Gary transit station are demanding answers about the circumstances that led to the shooting. Kenneth Williams Sr. was working security at the Metro station at 4th Avenue and Broadway when he was shot and killed by officers Friday night, according to relatives and investigators.
OSHA investigating Sentry after workplace death
SIOUX FALLS, SD — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating a Watertown construction company after a man died in a workplace incident. OSHA’s inspection page says the incident happened at Sentry, LLC. The page lists the incident as an accident and investigated it under fatality or catastrophic. OSHA does not provide details about its investigations. Sentry has had five violations in the last five years, according to OSHA’s website. According to an obituary, William K. Huumala, 19, died in a “work related accident” on Aug. 20. The obituary said Huumala “enjoyed his work at Sentry in Watertown and touched the lives of his coworkers.”
2 dead after tractor-trailer runs into tree in Clarendon County
CLARENDON COUNTY, SC — The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) is investigating a fatal crash in Clarendon County involving a tractor-trailer. According to SCHP, the crash occurred on Friday around 3:25 p.m. on I-95 southbound around the 117-mile marker. Troopers say the crash happened when a tractor-trailer traveling south on I-95 ran off the road to the left, crossed the median, crossed the northbound lanes, and ran into a tree. According to Highway Patrol, the driver and passenger both died in the crash.
Greencastle man dies at Crawfordsville facility
CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN — A 29-year-old Greencastle man died Tuesday at Performance Master Coil in Crawfordsville. The Crawfordsville Fire Department and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office responded at 7:31 p.m. to the business at 3752 E. C.R. 350S. The sheriff’s office identified the man as Jarrod L. Goebel, 29, of Greencastle. Goebel was an employee of Performance Master Coil. Montgomery County Sheriff Ryan Needham said Goebel was deceased when emergency personnel arrived. The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office was requested to the scene.
Construction worker dies after being pulled from retention pond following excavator mishap in Davie
DAVIE, FL — A 66-year-old construction worker has died after he was pulled from a retention pond in Davie Monday following a mishap with an excavator, authorities confirmed. According to Davie police, Tyrone Smith died after being transported to Broward Health Medical Center Monday afternoon. Police said the incident occurred at a construction site in the 2200 block of Shotgun Road, east of the I-75 interchange with Royal Palm Boulevard. Officer Julia Ross, a DPD spokesperson, said the agency responded to reports of a “possible drowning,” saw the excavator “submerged” in the pond, and rescuers were able to pull the man from the water. Officials from Davie Fire Rescue told Local 10 News that the operator was in cardiac arrest when rescuers found him; he was taken to Broward Health Medical Center where he died. Police said Tuesday that the incident appeared to be accidental. OSHA is now investigating, along with police.
East Lyme I-95 Worker Dies Days After Being Trapped By Concrete Barriers: Family
EAST LYME, CT — A Connecticut construction worker has died after concrete barriers trapped him at an Interstate 95 work zone, officials said. Darnell Parker, 54, died Tuesday, Aug. 25, his family said. Parker suffered critical injuries Thursday, Aug. 20, near the southbound Exit 74 off-ramp and New Frontage Road in East Lyme. Emergency crews reached the site around 10:11 a.m. They treated Parker before taking him to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. Doctors performed emergency surgery to stop internal bleeding, according to a GoFundMe created by Parker’s friends. He was later moved to Yale New Haven Hospital and remained in critical condition in the intensive care unit. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated the accident, CDOT officials said.
Cuban construction worker found dead beneath containers at Houston storage compound
HOUSTON, TX — POLICE are investigating the death of a 23-year-old Cuban construction worker whose body was found beneath two containers at a storage compound in Houston, East Bank Demerara, on Thursday morning. The dead man has been identified as Alex Jesus Gonzales Beria, a laborer employed by a construction company that was carrying out landfilling works at Muneshwers’ storage compound at Lot W9 Houston Road. Police said the incident reportedly occurred between 14:36 hrs and 16:00 hrs on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, but was reported to the authorities at about 08:40 hrs on Thursday.
Man dies after being trapped under farm equipment near Castlewood Wednesday
CASTLEWOOD, SD — One man is dead after becoming trapped underneath a haybine southeast of Castlewood Wednesday afternoon, according to the Hamlin County Sheriff’s Office. Watertown Regional Dispatch received a 911 call shortly after 3:00 pm on Wednesday, August 26, reporting a male who had sustained injuries from an unknown incident about six miles southeast of Castlewood. Hamlin County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Castlewood Ambulance were dispatched to the scene where first responders found an unresponsive male trapped underneath a hay-bine that was being pulled by a tractor, which had hit a fence. Once the man was removed and cleared from the machinery, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Richland County juvenile dies in farm equipment accident
ITHACA TOWNSHIP, WI — A juvenile boy died after a farm accident involving a skid loader Thursday morning in Ithaca Township, authorities said. The Richland County Sheriff’s Office said deputies received a 911 call at about 7:08 a.m. reporting the accident. Richland EMS and Ithaca First Responders were dispatched to the scene and found the juvenile suffering from a severe head injury. Emergency personnel immediately began life-saving measures before transporting him to The Richland Hospital for treatment. Despite efforts by first responders and hospital staff, the boy later died from his injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.
Steel beam falls on worker, killing him and injuring another in Pinellas County
PINELLAS PARK, FL — One person is dead, and another is hospitalized after an industrial accident in Pinellas County. According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement responded to 12707 U.S. Highway 19 in Clearwater around 10:11 a.m. regarding a man who had a steel beam fall on him. One person was killed, and another, a forklift operator, was taken to a nearby hospital. According to the sheriff’s office, a beam fell from a forklift, landing on the victim. The fire department was able to get the beam off of him, and he was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Officer and suspect killed, another injured in shooting
COLUMBIA, SC — The Columbia Police Department is investigating a shooting near a park on Hazelwood Road that took the lives of a suspect, an officer, and injured a second officer. According to police, the shooting resulted in the death of 29-year-old Chris DeLong. DeLong was hired by the department in 2024 and graduated from the Criminal Justice Academy in January 2025, when he was assigned to the Southeast region.
J. Cole canceled concert after touring crew member died carrying show gear in big rig
SACRAMENTO, CA — J. Cole’s concert in Sacramento was canceled Thursday, following the death of a crew member. The tour stop at Golden 1 Center was nixed after a member of the rapper’s crew was involved in a deadly crash earlier that day. “Following the tragic passing of a member of the touring crew in a trucking accident this morning, J. Cole’s performance at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento tonight, August 27, has been canceled,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with the crew member’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.” According to the Sacramento Bee, California Highway Patrol said that around 6 a.m., a touring member driving a big rig crashed on Interstate 5 in Yolo County, when the semitruck drifted onto the right shoulder and tried to return to the road off southbound I-5 and overturned south of Zamora. The crew member died at the scene, according to police. Per the outlet, the big rig was transporting touring equipment from Tuesday night’s Seattle show. The Yolo County Coroner’s Office told the Sacramento Bee that the driver was identified as Jarlath Parkinson, 66, of Jackson, S.C.
1 Killed in Box Truck Accident on State Highway 115 near Cadillac, MI
WEXFORD COUNTY, MI — one person was killed in a box truck accident at about 1:50 p.m. on State Route 115 south of Cadillac. Authorities said a box truck was heading west when it was struck by a Hyundai Santa Fe that was going north on South 47 Road. The impact caused the truck to overturn in the eastbound lanes before being hit by a pickup. The box truck driver, a 36-year-old Inkster man, was pronounced dead at the scene of the Clam Lake Township crash, according to authorities. His name has not been made public yet. The Hyundai driver, a 19-year-old LeRoy woman, and the pickup driver, a 58-year-old Troy man, suffered minor injuries in the crash, authorities said.
Conshohocken man identified as dump truck driver killed in Pennsylvania Turnpike crash
WHITPAIN TWP, PA — The driver of a dump truck who was killed on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Montgomery County has been identified. Police say 28-year-old Josh Adens, of Conshohocken, died after crashing into the back of a water truck. The crash happened early Thursday morning in the northbound lanes of the Northeast Extension in Whitpain Township, just north of DeKalb Pike.
Truck driver dead after Wednesday night accident
LEE COUNTY, SC — Troopers with the SC Highway Patrol say a truck driver is dead after an accident Wednesday night (Aug. 26) in Lee County. Officials say the driver of the tractor trailer was trying to change lanes on I-20 east at the 109 mile marker when he hit a 2015 Chevy Silverado. Troopers say both cars ran off the road, striking trees, and overturning. Authorities have not yet released the driver’s identity.
Trucker killed in single-vehicle crash in Idaho
CUSTER COUNTY, ID — A trucker is dead after a single-vehicle crash. In a press release, Idaho State Police (ISP) stated it is currently investigating a single-vehicle fatality crash on Thursday night at approximately 10:37 a.m. at milepost 154 on US93 northbound, east of Challis. According to the report, a 2005 Peterbilt semi-truck, driven by a 51-year-old r from Ammon, was hauling a trailer loaded with gravel and traveling northbound on US Highway 93. The vehicle drove off the right side of the roadway and traveled into the borrow pit. The driver attempted to correct the vehicle back onto the roadway. The tractor returned to the road, but the trailer was still in the borrow pit when the tractor and trailer became detached. The tractor rolled once and came to rest on its wheels. The trailer overturned onto its top. Police say the driver succumbed to his injuries on scene, and was not wearing a seatbelt.
Lafayette man dies after falling through roof of Jeanerette building
JEANERETTE, LA — A Lafayette man is dead after falling through the roof of the former Hon Iron Building in Jeanerette. The Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Yelson Soriano, 29, of Lafayette. The building is located on Canal Street. Jeanerette Police Department is investigating the fall as a workplace accident.
Firefighter dies from medical emergency during New Mexico wildfire
SANTA FE, NM — A San Carlos Apache tribal member and firefighter died while assisting with wildfire suppression efforts in New Mexico. Randy Lupe, 62, from the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation, died from a medical emergency on Sunday. Officials said Lupe was a U.S. Wildland Fire Service temporary emergency support crewmember on the San Carlos crew.
Semi truck driver dies in solo crash near Donner Pass, CHP says
TRUCKEE, CA — A semi truck driver died in a solo vehicle crash near Donner Pass Wednesday morning, according to the California Highway Patrol. The crash happened on eastbound Interstate 80 east of Donner Pass near Donner Gate around 9:29 a.m. CHP says the semi truck traveled off the south side of the road and went down an embankment into a wooded and dirt area. The driver suffered fatal injuries. A passenger inside the cab suffered minor injuries.
Catoosa police employee dies after medical emergency at station
CATOOSA, OK — A Catoosa Police Department civilian employee died Tuesday after a medical emergency at work, the department said. Stephen Tripodi Jr., 42, had served as the department’s Police Technical Services Administrator for more than two years. Police said officers, firefighters and EMS crews responded to the police station Tuesday morning. Tripodi was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.
Dump truck driver killed in crash with 18-wheeler in New York
STOCKHOLM, NY — A dump truck driver died in a collision with an 18-wheeler on Monday, according to a news release from the New York State Police (NYSP). NYSP stated that the crash occurred at approximately 7:00 a.m. That is when New York State Police members responded to County Route 47 in Stockholm for a reported dump truck versus refuse truck collision. NYSP said its investigation determined that a 1999 TK Sterling dump truck was traveling southbound on County Route 47 when the operator struck a 2009 Freightliner refuse truck that was parked on the west shoulder of the roadway. Following the collision, the dump truck exited the west shoulder of the roadway and overturned. The operator of the dump truck was identified as Gregory E. Yaddow, 72, of Gouverneur. Local fire and rescue personnel responded to the scene. Police say Yaddow sustained serious injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Box truck driver killed after drifting off roadway, striking semi: FHP
JACKSONVILLE, FL — The driver of a box truck died Tuesday morning after he collided with a semi-truck on I-95, the Florida Highway Patrol reports. FHP says that at around 5:35 a.m., the driver of a box truck, a 39-year-old from Miami, was traveling northbound on I-95 just south of State Road 9B, while a tractor-trailer was parked in the right emergency lane. According to the crash report, the box truck had drifted off the roadway and into the rear of the trailer. The box truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the trailer, a 23-year-old man from Petersburg, Virginia, was transported to a local hospital.
OC Parks employee dead in rollover crash near O’Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon
TRABUCO CANYON, CA — An Orange County Parks employee was killed Saturday in a rollover crash in the area of O’Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon. The crash was reported at 1:17 p.m. Aug. 29 at 30892 Trabuco Canyon Road, east of the 241 toll road, according to the California Highway Patrol. That is the address for O’Neill Regional Park. Luis Alberto Casas, 25, died in the crash, Orange County sheriff’s Sgt. Gerard McCann said. Casas was a resident of Garden Grove. The vehicle rolled 200-300 feet down an embankment, the CHP stated. An air rescue team was dispatched to the scene. Casas’ death was reported Saturday at 5:55 p.m.
Security guard killed in shooting at Los Banos fairgrounds, authorities say
LOS BANOS, CA — A man was shot and killed at the Los Banos fairgrounds during a private event late Saturday night, according to the Merced County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said the shooting was reported shortly after 11 p.m. Deputies responded to the fairgrounds and found a man who had been shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff’s office has not released the victim’s identity but said he was an employee working at the event.
OH Paramedic Dies While Sleeping in Work Bunk Room
Greenville, OH — An Ohio EMS agency is mourning the life of one of their own who died while on duty. Paramedic Karl Kleinekathoefer died just after 5:40 a.m. on Aug. 29 at the Spirit EMS headquarters in Greenville, a Spirit EMS spokesperson said. Kleinekathoefer was found to be unresponsive and not breathing in a bunk room. Other paramedics tried to revive him but were not successful, the spokesperson said. He joined Spirit EMS in Nov. 2023 and was called a valued member of the organization.