How workers died last week: Skid loader incidents, airplane crash, lawn mower, explosions, industrial incidents, firefighting, drowning, heat, 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.
5 Killed After Amazon Cargo Jet Overruns Runway at Miami Airport
MIAMI, FL — Five airport workers were killed when an Amazon cargo plane ran off a runway at Miami International Airport and plowed into their van. The plane then broke through the airport perimeter and struck a second vehicle outside the fence. Five other people were injured in the Sept. 6 crash. As of Tuesday, two remained in critical condition, and one was hospitalized in stable condition. The plane’s pilot and co-pilot had been released from the hospital. The Boeing 767 was operating as 21 Air Flight 7598 on behalf of Amazon and arriving from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says the plane overran the end of Runway 30 at about 1:53 p.m. Investigators now have their first information from the plane’s flight data recorder. At a Sept. 7 NTSB media briefing, Chair Jennifer Homendy said the plane traveled about 1,300 feet beyond the paved runway surface, striking navigational equipment and a Ford Econoline van owned by Professional Ocean Service Corp. with seven people inside. The aircraft then crossed the airport perimeter fence and struck a Toyota Corolla Cross traveling on Northwest 67th Avenue. All five people killed were in the Professional Ocean Service van. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office identified them as Rolando Aleman Leon, 55; Yoel Rodriguez Naranjo, 53; Julio C. Pineda, 75; Carlos Acosta Fajardo, 53; and Javierkys Reyes Quevedo, 47.
Monmouth Smithfield Foods worker dead after workplace incident
MONMOUTH, IL — A worker at the Smithfield Foods Monmouth location died Monday morning after a workplace incident. A Smithfield Foods spokesman confirmed the death to KWQC on Monday. They said their safety personnel is working with local law enforcement to investigate the incident.
Amazon Worker Dies After Medical Emergency At Facility In North Haven
NORTH HAVEN, CT — An Amazon worker died after suffering a medical emergency at the fulfillment center in North Haven on Wednesday night, according to multiple reports, including WTNH News 8. WTNH reports that emergency crews responded to the Amazon facility on Washington Avenue around 10 p.m. and took one patient to the hospital. Officials told the New Haven Register that the medical call involved a 50-year-old man in cardiac arrest. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Amazon employee in Arizona collapses at work, later dies
GOODYEAR, AZ — A man is dead after collapsing while at work in the West Valley, authorities say. The Goodyear Police Department responded to an Amazon warehouse near Bullard Avenue and Van Buren Street at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday for reports that an employee collapsed while working. Other employees immediately began life-saving efforts, and emergency personnel also continued life-saving efforts, but the 58-year-old man died at the scene, police said.
Employee dies after on-the-job accident in metro Atlanta
GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — An employee was killed in a work-related accident at a Gwinnett County facility, according to police. On Sept. 10, Gwinnett County police said officers responded to the incident at Global Industrial and confirmed an employee died as a result of the accident. Authorities said there were no indications of foul play. A supervisor directed arriving officers to Ernest Appau, who a co-worker had found pinned beneath the loading ramp.
Man found dead in Cherokee County after skid steer discovered in water
CHEROKEE COUNTY, AL — A man was found dead after a skid steer was discovered overturned in a body of water in Cherokee County on Sunday. The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office responded around 8:30 p.m. Sunday to a report of a missing person at a house in the McCord’s Crossroads community, according to the Cherokee County Coroner’s Office. The sheriff’s office learned that it was reported that Barry Kerr was bush hogging with a skid steer and had not returned home. The sheriff’s office asked for help from a few agencies to find Kerr. Family members, neighbors and first responders started organizing search efforts using ATVs, drones and four-wheel drive vehicles. The coroner’s office stated that before many of those responding arrived, the skid steer was found. First responders then recovered Kerr’s body.
Man identified in fatal skid loader accident in southern Iowa
CLIO, IA — The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office has identified 47-year-old Jeremy Fogle as the man killed in a skid loader accident Monday morning in southern Iowa. Authorities said Fogle was pinned under the equipment off Main Street in the town of Clio. First responders attempted lifesaving measures, but Fogle was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
Worker found dead, 2 firefighters hurt after apparent explosion on barge on Staten Island
MARINERS HARBOR, NY — A worker was discovered dead, and two firefighters were injured after an explosion on a barge on Staten Island on Thursday, according to officials. The FDNY says the explosion originated in some sort of container on a docked petroleum barge named Casablanca at 3249 Richmond Terrace between South and Arlington avenues in the Mariners Harbor section just after 2:30 p.m., and ignited a fire. Over 50 units, and 160 fire, EMS and HAZMAT personnel responded to the fire, which reached a second alarm around 3:15 p.m. One worker was discovered dead on the barge, according to officials, and two firefighters suffered minor injuries. All other workers have been accounted for, and the fire has since been placed under control.
Inkom man dies after workplace accident in American Falls
INKOM, ID — An Inkom man has died from injuries suffered in a workplace accident in American Falls last week, and his family is seeking help with expenses and support for his young daughter. Jerrod Waldron, 42, was working on a pump truck Sept. 3 while on a job for his employer, S&S Concrete, when the accident occurred. His mother, Teresa Waldron, told EastIdahoNews.com that Jerrod was working near the large arm of the pump truck when a cement truck lunged forward, pinning him between the two vehicles. Jerrod was taken by ambulance to Power County Hospital in American Falls, where doctors discovered he had suffered extensive internal injuries, including a ruptured spleen and collapsed lung. He was then airlifted to Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello for emergency surgery, where he later died from his injuries. Jerrod leaves behind a 10-year-old daughter and other family members.
31-year-old man driving a lawn mower hit and killed by 2 vehicles
CHEROKEE COUNTY, SC — A 31-year-old man driving a lawn mower died in a crash in South Carolina Sunday morning, troopers said. Officials with the South Carolina Highway Patrol said the crash happened around 6:35 a.m. on S.C. 329 near Ford Road. Both a Craftsman lawn mower and a Chrysler minivan were headed in the same direction. Troopers said the minivan crashed into the lawn mower on the roadway, pushing it into the other lane, where it was hit by a Honda Civic headed in the opposite direction. The driver of the lawn mower, Skylar Davis Miller, died at the scene.
Employee, customer killed in shooting at Gulfport AT&T store, suspect identified
GULFPORT, MS — Two people were killed following a shooting at an AT&T store Monday morning. According to Harrison County Coroner Brian Switzer, 31-year-old Shane Basquill, of Kiln, and 78-year-old Mary Anne Oberlies, of Gulfport, died in the shooting. Switzer said Basquill was an employee at the store and Oberlies was a customer. The shooting happened around 11:14 a.m. inside the store at Crossroads Mall.
Deputy remembered as hero after being shot, killed outside convenience store
CLAIBORNE COUNTY, MS — Deputy Terrian Bailey is being remembered as a hero who loved serving and protecting his community. Bailey, 45, was shot and killed in the parking lot of Michael Dean’s convenience store. He worked with the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Department for six years. Investigators say he was trying to break up a large crowd gathered to celebrate the annual Hermanville Day festival when multiple people fired multiple gunshots toward the crowd. One of the bullets struck Bailey in his lower body, killing him. He was rushed to a local hospital, which is where he later died.
Eliseo Colatosti Identified After NY Workplace Death
HICKSVILLE, NY — A Long Island trucking worker was identified Thursday, Sept. 10 after being killed in a workplace accident Monday, Sept. 7, authorities said. Eliseo Colatosti, 66, of Hicksville, was identified as the deceased man, the Nassau County Police Department said in an update. Colatosti was working on a New York City garbage truck at Gabrielli Truck Sales and Service in Hicksville, according to News 12 Long Island. The truck backed over Colatosti and killed him just before 3 p.m. Monday, Nassau County police said Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Woman Killed in Work Accident
PERHAM, MN — Authorities are investigating a deadly workplace accident at a manufacturing plant in northwest Minnesota. Perham police and ambulance crews responded to Swan Machine around 5 a.m. Friday, where a 47-year-old woman died following what police describe as a work-related incident. Authorities have not released details about how the accident happened or identified the woman, pending notification of her family.
UPS worker hit and killed by car while on the job days before he was set to retire
EARTH CITY, MO — A Missouri man who worked for UPS for more than four decades was hit and killed by a car while on the job less than two weeks before he was set to retire. Paul Roberts, 63, worked at the UPS Customer Care Center in Earth City for 44 years. He was less than two weeks away from retirement when St. Louis County Police say he was hit and killed by a car Friday night while at work.
Firefighter dies while fighting wildfire
MOUNT HOOD, OR — A firefighter died after being hurt while battling a wildfire in Oregon’s Mount Hood National Forest on Wednesday, federal officials said. The firefighter was hurt Sept. 9 during suppression efforts on the Austin Fire, according to the U.S. Forest Service. First responders gave immediate medical aid and took the firefighter to an area hospital, where the firefighter died from their injuries.
Wellston firefighter dies after being critically injured during Lincoln County wildfire
WELLSTON, OK — A Wellston firefighter who was critically injured while battling a wildfire that burned over 200 acres Monday afternoon in Lincoln County has died. The wildfire sparked just outside the town of Carney near 820 Road and 3330 Road and burned more than 260 acres. A Wellston firefighter was critically injured and taken to an area hospital. On Tuesday, multiple agencies shared statements saying that the firefighter had died. A family member confirmed to KOCO 5 that the firefighter was Joe Flake.
Oklahoma energy company in Collinsville confirms death of employee
COLLINSVILLE, OK — Oklahoma energy company Victory Energy in Collinsville confirmed the death of one of its employees in an accident that happened on Thursday. The company, which makes mobile boilers that can be rented, says it’s working closely with authorities and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA.
Auto shop employee dies in Skokie after vehicle falls
SKOKIE, IL — An auto shop employee died Thursday after a vehicle fell on him in Skokie. Just before 9:15 p.m., police and fire responded to Midwest Autohaus, located in the 5000 block of Dempster Street, on the report of a vehicle that fell on someone. A 33-year-old man, who was an employee, was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene.
2 brothers died in hazardous material incident at Empire fish plant
NEW ORLEANS, LA — The Plaquemines Parish coroner said two men who died Friday (Sept. 4) at a fish processing plant in Empire were brothers. Dr. Neil Wolfson identified the men as Yesseer Evelio Rizo-Acevedo and Eliott Geovanny Rizo-Acevedo. Wolfson said Wednesday he was unsure of their ages. The Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office said the deadly incident involved hazardous material at Daybrook Fisheries in Empire. Wolfson said the men lived in Gretna.
Man killed after lawn mower flips into canal, trapping him underwater
AUGUSTA, GA — Authorities in Georgia say a man working for a lawn maintenance company died when his lawn mower flipped into a canal, trapping him underwater. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim in the Saturday afternoon incident as 67-year-old Robert Duncan. He was cutting grass for a privately-owned lawn maintenance company near an Augusta canal when his mower overturned into the water. Authorities say Duncan was trapped underwater. First responders pulled him out of the canal, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Water tanker truck driver killed in rollover crash in Tucson
TUCSON, AZ — Pima County Sheriff’s Department is investigating after a driver was killed in a crash involving a water tanker truck on Friday. Officials were first called to the area of Headley and Valencia roads around 10:20 a.m. for reports of an industrial accident. When they arrived, they found a water tanker truck that had rolled onto its roof off the pathway. The rollover crushed the cab of the truck, killing the driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt. The driver has since been identified as 30-year-old Alejandro Bracamonte.
Family honors New Britain tow truck driver Alexander Ramos with vigil after his death
NEW BRITAIN, CT — A New Britain family gathered Saturday night to remember a husband, father and tow truck driver who was killed while working. Loved ones gathered outside his home for a balloon release, music and messages honoring Alexander John Ramos, known to family and friends as “Max.” Ramos’ father, Jonathan Ramos, said the loss has left the family devastated.
Woods of Terror employee dies after medical emergency
GREENSBORO, NC — An employee at Woods of Terror died Friday night after a medical emergency during the Greensboro haunted house’s opening weekend. The haunted house said its on-site medical team responded immediately and began life-saving measures. Firefighters from Engine 2 and Guilford County EMS also responded. Woods of Terror said every possible life-saving effort was made, but the employee died.
Truck drivers killed in I-81 crash, explosion in Frederick County identified; man charged
FREDERICK COUNTY, VA — Virginia State Police (VSP) has released the names of the two truck drivers who died after a crash on Interstate 81 led to an explosion and fire in Frederick County. The two truck drivers were identified as Russell R. Haskins, 64, of Altavista, Va. and Jeffrey J. Hudnell, 52, of Philadelphia, Pa.
3 killed, including 12-year-old child, in crash involving semitruck
ROBERTSON COUNTY, TX — Three people were killed Friday night after a semitruck left the roadway and collided with a large tree. Texas State troopers said the crash occurred just after 9 p.m. at FM 485 and Zane Wallace Road in Robertson County near the municipal airport. According to troopers, the semitruck driver was westbound on FM 485, veered onto a grass shoulder, rolled over and hit the tree. Christopher Burton, 37, of Hempstead, was killed, along with two passengers. They have been identified as Gina Jones, 40, of College Station, and a 12-year-old girl. No other vehicles were involved. The semitruck was hauling livestock when the crash occurred.
Trucker dead after crashing into houses in St. Louis
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO — A trucker is dead after a crash involving his big rig and a house in St. Louis. The crash occurred on Interstate 255 east of Telegraph Road in St. Louis County, According to a crash report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), the front of a 2026 Peterbilt 589 struck the rear of a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox. MSHP stated that the Chevrolet “slid off the road to the road to the left and struck the raised concrete barrier.” The semi truck veered off the road to the right, across the outer road, striking three houses and two parked cars in a driveway. The driver, a 52-year-old from Jerseyville, Illinois, was pronounced dead at the scene.
S.C. deputy killed in multi-vehicle crash
CHARLESTON COUNTY, SC — A Charleston County Sheriff’s deputy has died following a traffic collision, WCIV reported. Deputy Michael Hendricks, 33, was killed on Sept. 9 in a multi-vehicle crash. The initial collision involved a tractor-trailer and a pickup truck that were traveling in opposite directions, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The incident remains under investigation.
Truck driver killed, 2 injured in crash off I-255 in Oakville
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO — A Jerseyville, Illinois man was killed and two others were injured in a crash involving a gravel truck Wednesday afternoon in Oakville. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP), the crash occurred shortly after 2 p.m. on eastbound Interstate 255 east of Telegraph Road. It involved a gravel truck and a Chevrolet Equinox. The crash happened after the truck struck the rear end of the Chevrolet, MSHP said. The impact caused the truck to travel off the right side of the roadway and across an outer road before striking three houses and two parked vehicles in a driveway. The Chevrolet also traveled off the roadway and struck a concrete barrier. The truck driver, a 52-year-old man from Jerseyville man, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to MSHP. Two people inside the Chevrolet, including a 14-year-old, were taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. According to MSHP, the truck driver was not wearing a seatbelt. The driver and passenger inside the Chevrolet were wearing seat belts.
Truck driver killed, passenger hospitalized after Turnpike crash in St. Lucie County
FORT PIERCE, FL — A 66-year-old Miami man driving a box truck was killed Monday after the vehicle overturned on Florida’s Turnpike in St. Lucie County. The crash happened near mile marker 166 in unincorporated St. Lucie County. FHP said the truck was traveling north in the outside lane when, for reasons still under investigation, it partially entered the outside paved shoulder before re-entering the travel lanes and overturning, according to Florida Highway Patrol. The truck then collided with a guardrail on the outside shoulder and came to rest on its roof. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene at 9:43 a.m.
Security guard killed in Portland hospital parking lot
PORTLAND, ME — A security guard was shot and killed while conducting a routine check of a hospital parking lot early Sunday morning. James Angelo, 27, of Portland, was working at Mercy Hospital when he was killed in the doctors’ parking lot on Winter Street at approximately 4 a.m. Portland police officers responded to the scene at the hospital parking lot. Angelo was employed as a security guard at Mercy Hospital.