How workers died last week: asphyxiation, crushed to death, stabbings, rollovers, firefighting, explosions, vehicle incidents, shootings and 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.
Coroner identifies sanitation worker killed in Upstate crash
ANDERSON, SC — A sanitation worker was killed Monday around 6:20 a.m. in a crash on Highway 413 at Hawkins Lane in Anderson County. The coroner said a pickup truck hit the sanitation worker, who was dumping trash in a trash truck when a pickup truck hit him, pinning him between the two. Troopers said the sanitation worker died at the scene and has been identified as David Sorrow, 41.
NYS Maintenance Worker Fatally Struck While Working on I-287
WHITE PLAINS, NY — The New York State Thruway Authority has identified the victim of a fatal accident on I-287. A statement shared on social media by Frank G. Hoare, Esq., the Executive Director of the NYS Thruway Authority, states: “It is with deep sadness that I announce that Jamil B. Wilson, a dedicated Thruway Maintenance Worker in our Cross Westchester Expressway Maintenance Section, tragically passed away yesterday.” Wilson had worked for the Thruway Authority for about 6 years and was 47-years-old at the time of his death. The Thruway Authority explains that Wilson and other employees “were performing mowing operations on the Cross Westchester Expressway (I-287) in White Plains” when the 47-year-old was struck by a passing vehicle. Jamil B. Wilson is survived by his partner Taidra, and their 2 kids.
Worker dies after crane falls in Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project construction zone
CINCINNATI, OH — An investigation is underway after a crane operator in the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project construction zone died over the weekend, according to the Cincinnati Police Department. Police said officers were called around 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 17 to the West Third Street and Pete Rose Way area for a “workplace accident.” The man was operating a boom lift crane when the crane shifted and fell, CPD explained. The man, who has not been identified by police, was injured and taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. He died at the hospital, according to police. The Criminal Investigation Section and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are investigating.
Cement Company Employee Killed
Laramie, WY — An employee was fatally injured at the Mountain Cement Company facility in Laramie, Wyoming, in an October 22, 2026, material-handling workplace accident reported by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
Man dies in industrial accident at Greenville Co. asphalt plant
GREENVILLE COUNTY, SC — A western North Carolina man died in an industrial accident at an asphalt plant in Greenville County. The Greenville County Coroner’s Office said they responded to the Panagakos Asphalt plant on Greencove Drive just before noon Friday. According to the coroner, the victim worked for a contract company doing maintenance on a machine at the plant. The machine is used to move asphalt from one area to another area before it’s loaded into a truck. Officials identified the victim as Kelsy Vance Justus, 28, of Forest City. The cause of death was listed as traumatic asphyxia, and the manner of death was ruled accidental.
Driver killed in industrial accident at rock quarry in Plainfield, fire officials say
UNINCORP. PLAINFIELD, IL — A driver was killed in an industrial accident in Plainfield on Friday, fire officials said. It happened at about 4 p.m. at a rock quarry located at 22950 W. 119th Street in unincorporated Plainfield, fire officials said. A large dump truck overturned and the driver was trapped in the vehicle. The driver died, fire officials said. No other information was available. The man’s identity was not released. The accident is under investigation by the Will County Sheriff’s Office and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
Miner Killed in Fall
Conroe, TX — On October 17, 2026, a miner, James A. Lopez, 40, was tragically killed in a workplace accident at the Moorhead Wet Plant, an industrial surface mine that processes construction sand and gravel in Conroe, Texas. According to the preliminary report from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the incident was classified as a “slip or fall of person”. The worker died after falling through an opening on the second floor of the wash plant, landing on the concrete floor below.
State safety officials investigate fatality at Morristown plant
MORRISTOWN, TN — Safety regulation officials continue to gather details on a fatal incident at a Morristown production plant. Police were called to Koch Foods on Progress Parkway where a security guard identified as Arlie Ray Russell, 54, was struck while standing between two tractor-trailers in the facility’s loading bay area. A 31-year-old driver was cited for improper backing. TOSHA agents will investigate the incident and have a report sometime in April.
Man dies in Mount Clemens industrial building explosion
MOUNT CLEMENS, MI — A 49-year-old Macomb Township man died Thursday, Oct. 22, after an explosion at an industrial building in Mount Clemens. The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Mary Street building, between Cass Avenue and Hubbard Street, about 11:37 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff’s office said there was no danger to the public. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
‘Act of pure evil’: Van Zandt County sheriff details deadly shootout
CANTON, TX — The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office held a news conference Friday to offer new details shooting deaths that have rocked the community. According to Sheriff Kevin Bridger, around 10:22 p.m., Deputy Adam Sherifi, Deputy Brandon Fontenot and Canton police Officer Chris Watson were attempting to serve two felony arrest warrants on Mi Van Nguyen, 42, when Nguyen opened fire from inside his residence with a semi-automatic rifle. Bridger said Nguyen fired over 800 rounds at the group. “Tuesday night was an act of pure evil,” Bridger said. “This individual unleashed an extraordinary amount of gunfire at the law enforcement officers who came to serve those warrants.” Bridger said the warrants were for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault on a peace officer. Deputy Sherifi was killed in the shootout. According to Bridger, he leaves behind a wife and two children, one of whom is a newborn.
Truck driver killed in crash near Sparta
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, MO — A truck driver died in a crash two miles south of Sparta on Thursday, Oct. 22. The crash happened on southbound MO-125 south of Christian County T at about 5:25 p.m., when the tractor-trailer overturned and left the roadway, partially ejecting the driver, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The driver, a 41-year-old man from Bradleyville, Mo., was pronounced dead at the scene. His next of kin has been notified. This is the 104th fatality in MSHP Troop D in 2026.
Madill man dies in workplace accident involving semi-trailer
MADILL, OK — A 54-year-old man died in a workplace accident involving a semi-trailer in Madill, Okla., first reported by television station KXII. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), the victim was identified as Jaime Bell. Bell was working on the bed of a semi-trailer, moving pipe to a forklift when the incident occurred. OHP says the driver of the semi-trailer pulled forward while Bell was working on the trailer bed. The movement caused Bell to lose his balance and fall, causing him to hit his head on the trailer. He died from his injuries.
Security Guard Killed in Hit-And-Run at GVSU’s Allendale Campus
ALLENDALE, MI — A security guard was struck and killed in a hit-and-run incident at Grand Valley State University’s Valley Campus in Allendale on Friday, October 16. The crash occured at 1:15 a.m. and 18-year-old Grand Valley State University student Jaisten Thomas was the alleged driver. Debra Smith, 69, was a 30-year veteran of DK Security. She was working as a third-party contractor at the Allendale campus and was assigned to traffic control. According to a witness, a westbound Sedan struck Smith before driving off.
Cherokee Indian police officer died in line-of-duty, police chief says
CHEROKEE, NC — The Cherokee Indian Police Department reports an officer died in the line-of-duty on Friday. Police Chief Carla Neadeau said Detective Jeff Smith died while performing his duties.
Semi-truck driver killed in Mankato after being hit by pickup while on shoulder
MANKATO, MN — A semi-truck driver was hit and killed while he was standing near his truck on the shoulder of Highway 169 in Mankato Thursday afternoon. According to the Minnesota State Patrol, just before 2:30 p.m., a semi-truck was pulled over onto the shoulder on northbound Highway 169 near milepost 58. The driver of the semi-truck, a 79-year-old man, was standing outside his semi near the driver’s side door when a 52-year-old man driving a pickup truck in the right lane hit him. The semi-truck driver died in the Collison, law enforcement said. The pickup truck driver was not injured.
Casa Grande grad dies while serving with Air Force in Guam
CASA GRANDE, AZ — A Casa Grande man died Sunday in an accident in Guam while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Johnny Garcia, who graduated from Mission Heights Preparatory High School in 2024, was honored by the school in a social media post Tuesday.
Employees say suspect complained about lack of hours before killing boss
DAUPHIN COUNTY, PA — A boss at Factory Motor Parts was found dead on Monday morning, and Maryland State Police have arrested the employee accused of committing the crime. Mary Kelly was reportedly found dead around 7:57 a.m. at 1700 Bobali Drive in Swatara Township, shortly before Clifton Emerson, 63, left the scene.
Kane County firefighter dies after medical emergency during training exercise, officials say
KANE COUNTY, IL — A Kane County firefighter has died after suffering a medical emergency during a training exercise last week. Rutland-Dundee Fire Protection District Firefighter Greg Witt, 35, of Gilberts was identified as the firefighter who died, officials said Sunday.
St. Lucie firefighter-paramedic dies on duty after brother’s death in 2025
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL — A St. Lucie County firefighter-paramedic died while on duty Saturday, more than a year after his younger brother, who also served as a firefighter-paramedic, died at age 26. St. Lucie firefighter-paramedic dies on duty after brother’s death in 2025. CBS12’s Paige Meyer reports. The St. Lucie County Fire District announced the line-of-duty death of Austin Hodge on Saturday, Oct. 24, calling his death a “profound loss” to the department and the fire service community.
Name of deputy killed in crash released
LOGAN COUNTY, WV — New information has been released by the Logan County Sheriff’s Department after a Logan County Deputy died in a crash on Saturday. The sheriff’s department says Deputy Caden Mullins, 24, died in the crash.
Metro Richmond Flying Squad captain, retired Richmond firefighter dies after medical emergency at fire station
RICHMOND, VA — A Metro Richmond Flying Squad captain and retired Richmond firefighter died due to a medical emergency at the fire station Thursday morning, according to the volunteer organization. The Metro Richmond Flying Squad took to Facebook the afternoon of Thursday, Oct. 22, to share that Paul “Zack” Von Mille, a retired Richmond firefighter who then began volunteering for the organization, died earlier that morning due to a medical emergency at the fire station after dedicating much of his life to serving the fire service.
Swanton firefighter, veteran remembered for service, impact after cancer death
SWANTON, OH — Inside the Swanton firehouse, there are reminders of Sean Griewahn everywhere. His gear is still there. His glasses are still there. And the people who worked alongside him continue to feel his absence. For his stepdaughter, Susie Schmidt, returning to work at the same firehouse as her stepfather means confronting those reminders while leaning on the same first responders who became family through years of working alongside Griewahn. “I know that when I come in, it’ll be hard. His gear’s here. His glasses are here,” Schmidt said. Griewahn, 54, died Oct. 14 after a battle with stage four pancreatic cancer. His career spanned military service, emergency medicine and fire service leadership, including decades with Swanton Fire and Rescue and service as a captain with the Delta Community Fire Department.
27-year Liberty Township firefighter dies Friday
LIBERTY TWP., IN — The Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department is honoring Vernon Hyatte, a firefighter who died Friday after dedicating 27 years to the department, it announced Tuesday. Hyatte, 75, of Chesterton devoted 27 years of service to the Liberty Township Fire Department and was a proud 50-year member of the Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association. Hyatte’s long-tenured service allowed him to reach the rank of 2nd Lieutenant as well as serving as station treasurer.
Two killed, one injured in I-35 crash near Marietta
MARIETTA, OK — Two people are dead and one is hurt after a crash involving two tractor trailers on southbound I-35 Friday night, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. According to troopers, a southbound tractor-trailer driven by 79-year-old Donald Freeman struck a second tractor-trailer stopped on the outside shoulder. Two service workers were underneath the stopped trailer performing maintenance when it was hit, troopers say. Freeman was uninjured, troopers say. One of the workers, 37-year-old John Gravelle of Ardmore, died. A second worker also died. Troopers have not released that person’s name. The driver of the parked rig, 49-year-old Prince Nnaji, was injured, troopers say.
Road Ranger killed, hit at crash scene on I-95 near Lantana Road
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL — A 23-year-old Road Ranger was killed early Sunday when a car entered a lane closure on northbound I-95 near Lantana Road, striking him before crashing into a marked Florida Highway Patrol cruiser, according to FHP. The road ranger, identified as a West Palm Beach man, died at the scene. FHP said his family has been notified, but his name has not been released.