Weekly Toll

Today's post holds the names of lost workers from February 2011 that we have learned about. If you know one of the workers, or are a family member, please don't hesitate to contact us. We would love to connect with you.

February 2011


Feb 1 - 55 year old Sherman L. Holmes. Employer: K & K Forest Products, LLC of LeRoy, MI





Feb 1 - 49 year old Yu Che. Employer: Twin Dragon Restaurant in LaHabra, CA

Feb 1 - 49 year old Robert Michael Beal. Employer: Geneva Rock Products, Inc. of Orem, UT

Feb 2 - 27 year old Joseph Daniel Hall. Employer: Bobby Jackson Electrical, Inc. of Spartanburg, SC

Feb 2 - 77 year old Edward Hebbeler. Employer: National Golf Maintenance LLC of Cave Creek, AZ

Feb 3 - 47 year old Benjamin Alvarez. Employer: Alvan Construction Inc. in Philadelphia, PA



Feb 3 - 33 year old Frank Meagher. Employer: Kaufman Enterprises, Inc. in Rosemount, MN




Feb 4 - 59 year old Ruben Rodriguez. Employer: Caribe General Constructors, Inc. of Ponce, PR



Feb 5 - 55 year old Larry Miville. Employer: Ccaps, LLC dba Servicemaster Elite in Merrimack, NH




Feb 7 - 27 year old John C. Shirley. Employer: Enterprise Products Transportation Company, LLC of Houston, TX

Feb 8 - 33 year old Pastor Bautista. Employer: Pacific Edge Real Estate of West Hollywood, CA

Feb 8 - 57 year old Richard Chellow. Employer: Elevator Dynamics, Inc. of North Hollywood, CA



Feb 9 - 20 year old Scott Estes. Employer: Airco Service, Inc. of Tulsa, OK





Feb 11 - 57 year old Marsha Dunzer. Employer: Ayres Hotel Company, Inc. in Costa Mesa, CA

Feb 11 - 49 year old Bruce C. Karau. Employer: HB Performance Systems, Inc. of Milwaukee, WI

Feb 11 - 40 year old Roberto Alvarez. Employer: Tony Stout Farm.

Feb 12 - 36 year old Jose Plascencia. Employer: Carolyn Rech.

Feb 14 - 46 year old Ichale Gorzkiewicz. Employer: Steel Warehouse Company, Inc.

Feb 15 - 59 year old Cong Pham. Employer: Pacific Cargo Services LLC of Clackamas, OR

Feb 16 - 70 year old Frank Ashcraft. Employer: Coastal Crane & Rigging, Inc.

Feb 16 - 71 year old John Michael Hogan. Employer: The Cliffs Resort in Dallas, TX

Feb 16 - 59 year old Efron Castrol. Employer: Delgado Construction of Houston, TX

Feb 61 - 61 year old Patricia Williams. Employer: Purity Water Systems dba RK Dixon Co. of Davenport, IL



Feb 18 - 53 year old Brian Trambley. Employer: Fallon Logging Co, Inc. of Tillamook, OR





Feb 19 - 39 year old Donald Hines. Employer: Trans-Systems, Inc. of Spokane, WA

Feb 19 - 31 year old Jose Lorenzo Salazar. Employer: L&J Company of Aurora, CO

Feb 20 - 24 year old Michael Rex Jeffrey. Employer: AMF Bowling Centers, Inc. of Addison, TX

Feb 20 - 42 year old Michael A. Scott. Employer: MN Dept. of Transportation-Mankato District 7 in Mankato, MN

Feb 21 - 67 year old Diane Dirks. Employer: American Arium of Tustin, CA

Feb 22 - 56 year old Surrey Williams III. Employer: 3M

Feb 22 - 54 year old Betty Geddis. Employer: Wecare Residential Facility, Inc.

Feb 23 - 55 year old Douglas Sprankle. Employer: The Davey Tree Expert Company of Kent, OH



Feb 23 - 31 year old Jamie Godines. Employer: Austin Industrial Specialty Services, L.P. of Houston, TX







Feb 24 - 65 year old Randy Steg. Employer: Randy's Windows, Carpets & Floors of Marina Del Rey, CA





Feb 25 - 32 year old Shawn Bertrand. Employer: Ceres Gult, Inc.

Feb 25 - 37 year old Charles Ulery, Jr. Employer: Maymead, Inc. of Mountain City, TN



Feb 25 - 50 year old Frederick Thornton. Employer: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Dept. in Charlotte, NC





Feb 26 - 39 year old Paul Cash. Employer: Nevada Division of Forestry in Spring Creek, NV

Feb 28 - 45 year old Miguel Gonzales. Employer: A. Sambado & Sons, Inc. in Linden, CA

Feb 29 - 73 year old John Patrick Brady. Employer: International Bankshare Corporation in San Antonio, TX







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Each week until we are caught up, we will post one month of 2011 of worker's that we inadvertently missed using our old search method. If you are a family member or know a family member of one of these workers, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here for you.

January 2011

Jan 3, - 38 year old John Union. Employer: Burnett Group, dba Laborfinders of Victorville, CA

Jan 3 - 47 year old James Salmons. Employer: Asplundh Tree Expert Co. of Glen Allen, VA

Jan 4 - 53 year old Gregory Gutowski. Employer: ADT Security Services of Pittsburg, PA

Jan 4 - 52 year old William Pabst. Employer: Mikrut Properties of Minnesota City, MN

Jan 5 - 46 year old Anthony Marshall. Employer: Allied Metals Corp. of Troy, MI

Jan 5 - 48 year old Ronnie Weiser. Employer: Enbridge Gathering North Texas of Dallas, TX

Jan 6 - 56 year old Reginald Woolridge. Employer: Summit Worldwide Chauffeur Service of Burbank, CA

Jan 7 - 51 year old Jose Jesus Haro-Ceja. Employer: Universal Laundries & Linen.

Jan 8 - 49 year old Brian Christ. Employer: Five City Automotive Repair Center of Cypress, CA

Jan 9 - 27 year old Ben Spoon. Employer: Howard Industries, Inc. of Laurel, MS

Jan 9 - 61 year old Leonard Perry. Employer: McJunkin Red Man Corporation

Jan 10 - 55 year old Gerardo Guerrero. Employer: Western Badge & Trophy Co., dba WBT Industries of Monterey Park, CA

Jan 10 - 25 year old Sanier Garcia Robler. Employer: J&J Ag Products, Inc. of Clewiston, FL

Jan 10 - 38 year old James Ramey. Employer: Polar Service Center of Port Allen, LA

Jan 11 - 53 year old William Floyd Hopman. Employer: Quincy Fire Protection District of Quincy, CA

Jan 12 - 42 year old Ramon Rodriguez. Employer: Michael McNeilly of Beverly Hills, CA

Jan 12 - 45 year old Rodrigo Rodriguez. Employer: Aee Palo Seco of San Juan, Puerto Rico

Jan 12 - 66 year old Bennie E. Walters. Employer: Kroger Food Store #491 of Atlanta, GA

Jan 14 - 45 year old William Perez. Employer: Shine and Company, Inc. of High Springs, FL

Jan 14 - 30 year old Bret Cooney. Employer: Patterson Uti Drilling Co, LLC of Houston, TX

Jan 15 - 39 year old McKinley Martin. Employer: M&M Farms of Bude, Inc., of Meadville, MS



Jan 15 - 43 year old Douglas Benitez. Employer: Sar Transportation, LLC of Saginaw, TX






Jan 15 - 62 year old John R. Belcher. Employer: Ax Man Tree Service of Vancouver, WA

Jan 16 - 53 year old Robert Cusentino. Employer: Park Ridge Park District-Oakton Ice Arena of Park Ridge, IL

Jan 17 - 43 year old Rafael Nunez. Employer: Bill Bailey dba Precision Concrete & Steel Mfg LLC of Statesboro, GA

Jan 17 - 29 year old Robert Williams. Employer: Best Auto, Inc.

Jan 17 - 54 year old Steven S. Rasey. Employer: Wisconsin Plastic Drain Tile Corp., of Jefferson, WI

Jan 17 - 45 year old Craig Mackovjak. Employer: Burkshire Construction Company of Parma, OH

Jan 18 - 50 year old Laurie Strowenjans. Employer: Holland Community Hospital

Jan 19 - 79 year old Gerald ODell. Employer: Disneyland Resort of Anaheim, CA

Jan 19 - 43 year old Michael McMillan. Employer: Key Energy Services of Houston, TX

Jan 19 - 26 year old Clayton Wayne Lisby. Employer: Hammer Construction, Inc. of Bridgeport, TX

Jan 19 - 31 year old Daniel Weger. Employer: Kenworth of Indianapolis dba Terre Haute Truck Center

Jan 19 - 80 year old Glen Rambo. Employer: The Chuck Radney Company



Jan 20 - 42 year old Harold C. Plunkett. Employer: DSM Chemicals North America, Inc. of Augusta, GA





Jan 21 - 57 year old Barry Campney. Employer: Schermerhorn Management, Inc.



Jan 22 - 46 year old Victorio Ulep. Employer: Falcon Landscaping, LLC of Honolulu, HI




Jan 22 - 35 year old Royce Baker. Employer: Unit Drilling Company of Tulsa, OK

Jan 22 - 47 year old Keith Gunn. Employer: Federal Express Corporation of Memphis, TN

Jan 23 - 37 year old Jose A. Ambriz Tuquin. Employer: Vino Farms, Inc. of Lodi, CA

Jan 23 - 21 year old Alex Bevins. Employer: Advanced Imaging Technologies, Inc.


Jan 24 - 49 year old Landie Piatt. Employer: James L. Cayton Associates, Inc. of New Bern, NC





Jan 24 - 54 year old Robert Smith. Employer: Arklahoma Pipeline Inc. of Van Buren, AR

Jan 26 - 28 year old James Antonio McCray. Employer: Pilot Travel Center #726 of Dallas, TX

Following is our first post of 2012. This list is for individuals that we found out were missed in November and December 2010. Thank you for your patience while we tweak the format.



Pamela Jane Lynch - died working at Allen Jay Elementary in High Point, NC









NOVEMBER 2010

Nov 13 - 45 year old Joey Kemp. Woodard Brothers Corporation

Nov 24 - 60 year old Kadhim Jawad. LA City Building & Safety in Los Angeles, CA

Nov 25 - 55 year old William Foos. J Construction in Oak Park, MN

Nov 27 - 20 year old Jeff Furgeson, Jr. Patterson-Uti Drilling Co., Houston, TX

Nov 28 - 17 year old Juan Camacho. Haslow Farms

Nov 29 - 45 year old Roberto Rodriguez. R&B Wholesale Distributors Inc, Ontario, CA

Nov 29 - 40 year old Daniel Lefebvre. Carbide Industries, LLC, Louisville, KY

Nov 29 - 51 year old Keith Bonome. Kevin F. Leary, Plymouth, MA

Nov 29 - 46 year old Anthony Augustine. J&D Rack, Inc., Cincinnati, OH


DECEMBER 2010

Dec 1 - 55 year old Frank B. Latos. Michels Corporation, Michels Power Division, Brownsville, WI

Dec 1 - 42 year old Waqas Rehman. Baba LLC, Southington, CT

Dec 1 - 26 year old Julio Llumitasig. Allocco Recycling Ltd, Brooklyn, NY

Dec 2 - 36 year old Jerry Lee Robinson. LMS Intellibound, Inc., Norcross, GA

Dec 2 - 24 year old Andrew Wilson. State Armory Nys Div. Military & Naval Affairs, Latham, NY

Dec 2 - 42 year old Agustin G. R. Duran. Professional Metal Roofs, LLC, Madison, AL

Dec 2 - 43 year old Jeff Brannon. Sharps Mill Forest Products, Inc., Florence, AL

Dec 3 - 27 year old Arturo Duran. G & M Metal & Parts, Inc.

Dec 3 - 50 year old Cruz Ojedo. Blackstone Construction LLC, Russellville, AR

Dec 3 - 46 year old Sang Doo Lee. Air Control DJ, LLC, Duluth, GA

Dec 4 - 70 year old Pedro Cervantes. Aloun Farm Inc.

Dec 4 - 44 year old Christopher Johnson. Mohammed Hossain, Brooklyn, NY

Dec 6 - 57 year old Johnny Johnston. Securitas Security Services USA, Inc., Little Rock, AR

Dec 6 - 21 year old Victor Sanchez. South Texas Construction, Mission, TX

Dec 7 - 49 year old Lawrence Mitchell. Priset Construction Co., Wellsboro, PA

Dec 7 - 37 year old Jose Roman Cordero. Mountain Craftsmen, Pocono Lake, PA

Dec 7 - 55 year old Pamela Jane Lynch. Guilford County Schools/Allen Jay Elementary School, High Point, NC

Dec 8 - 44 year old David Ehret. Ponton Industries, Inc., Yorba Linda, CA

Dec 9 - 80 year old Joseph Digregorio. Loomis Armored US LLC, Salem, OR

Dec 27 - 58 year old Patrocinio Martinez. Ampam Parks Mechanical, Inc., Wilmington, CA

Dec 28 - 31 year old Manuel Garcia Rosale. Lincoln Manufacturing, Inc.

Dec 28 - 53 year old Terrance Cox. Champion Electrical Services, Inc., Palm Bay, FL

Dec 28 - 74 year old Kenneth Adamo. Elmwood Park Fire Department, Elmwood Park, IL

Dec 29 - 62 year old Robert Fishel. L&W Demolition Company, Inc., Harrisburg, PA

Dec 29 - 48 year old Edward Goworowski. JC Tree & Lawn Service, Allentown, PA

Dec 30 - 61 year old Gilbert Welch. Spohn's Disposal Service, Inc., Mohawk, NY

Dec 30 - 23 year old Emilio Gallardo. Primus Natural Stone, Inc., Romeoville, IL

Dec 31 - 22 year old Fernando Ixcoy. Kykenkee, Inc., Vance, AL

Dec 31 - 28 year old Jorge L. Ramirez. Contreras Brothers Trucking, Inc. Dade City, FL

December 2, 2011

To all our loyal followers:

The individuals who prepare The Weekly Toll will be on a respite during the month of December. The task of reading and assembling hundreds of articles about people dying on the job from preventable causes takes its toll on a person's spirit. This is especially true for individuals like the USMWF staff and board members who have all experienced losing a loved one from a deadly workplace hazard.

We'll also be taking time in December to redesign how we present and memorialize the names of U.S. workers killed on the job. Look for a new version of the Weekly Toll in January 2012.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Workers Die as Lift Machine Topples Over

December 1, ATLANTA, GA - 29 year old Rigoberto Lopez of Marietta and 42 year old Karlos Turner of Dallas died of injuries received in a fall Thursday. They were operating an 80 foot lift truck and when they attempted to move the lift, it fell onto a concrete walkway across the street. The men were working on the exterior of Amli Old 4th Ward Apartment Homes. They were not crushed under the machine.


Truck Driver Killed in Accident

December 1, TOTOWA, NJ - 43 year old Goran Stevanovic of Totowa died when his truck and trailer separated and his cab overturned. A witness says the low-boy trailer seemed to be wobbly and ended up separating, causing the cab to go another direction and overturn.


Emergency Worker Killed in Fiery Crash

December 1, SEYMOUR, IN - Gregory Lawdermilt, an Indiana DOT employee, was killed when his vehicle was struck from behind by a tractor trailer on icy roads. Lawdermilt had pulled over to help a motorist who lost control of her car, activating his emergency vehicle lights. A short time later a semi driver struck Lawdermilt's vehicle sending both vehicles further off the roadway and burst into flames. Lawdermilt was trapped in his vehicle.


Driver Dies in Fiery Semi Crash

November 30, POCONO, PA - 55 year old Daniel Meda of Bloomfield, NJ died Wednesday in a tractor trailer accident. Meda was driving on Interstate 80 when his FedEx truck left the roadway and went down an embankment. It struck several trees before catching on fire.


Department of Transportation Worker Struck and Killed

November 30, TULSA, OK - 42 year old Ira Henderson was struck and killed by a driver who, witnesses say, did not slow down in the construction work zone. According to investigators Henderson was properly equipped with reflective clothing normally worn by ODOT road workers.


Crane Operator Pinned by Materials

November 30, CALVERT, AL - Joseph Dudewicz, a crane operator for Thyssenkrupp Stainless USA, died today after he became pinned between two giant stainless steel coils at the Calvert facility. No further details are available.


Worker Killed in Forklift Incident

November 29, TRENTON, NC - 62 year old Dennis Michael Foy died after being injured while operating a forklift Tuesday. Preliminary findings indicated Foy had been moving cotton bales in the warehouse with a forklift. He was found on the ground, off the forklift with some bales near him that had fallen from a stack. Foy was an employee for Jones County Cotton Gin. It is unclear if the falling bales struck Foy.


Store Clerk Killed in Robbery

November 29, WILMINGTON, DE - 22 year old Al-Haidari Esam was shot to death during a robbery Tuesday. He was a clerk at Concord Food Market. Two men walked into the market and shot Esam in the chest. Esam then staggered outside the store and collapsed.


Worker Overcome by Toxic Fumes

November 28, THERESA, WI - 55 year old Roman Torres of Horicon died and another worker was hospitalized after they were overcome by toxic chemical fumes Monday. Both worked for Vivid Image and were mixing several chemical compounds causing the fumes. The wife of one of the men stopped by the business and discovered the men unconscious.


Pilot Killed in Plane Crash

November 28, RIVERWOODS, IL - 58 year old William Didier of Cedar Grove, WI died when the medical plane he was flying crashed in Riverwoods Monday. Didier, a pilot for Trans North Aviation, was transporting a patient from Florida to Chicago when he reported problems with the fuel prior to the crash. The patient and his wife were also killed in the crash.


Worker and Equipment Swallowed by Sink Hole

November 28, WEST MONROE, LA - 53 year old Kenny Robinson died when he became trapped on a track hoe he was operating Monday. Robinson was building access roads into the sand pits at 629 Louisiana 3033 in West Monroe when his track hoe became caught in a sinkhole. The machine was almost completely buried. Robinson worked for D&J Construction.


Tractor Trailer Driver Killed

November 28, ECHO CANYON, UT - 46 year old Robert D. Carpenter of Caldwell, ID died despite efforts by passersby to help him after his rig overturned Monday on I-80. Carpenter's semi struck the freeway’s cable barrier on a curve and overturned, landing in the westbound lanes.








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Laundry Worker Crushed in Equipment

November 26, BAY SHORE, NY - 24 year old Milton Anzora died being crushed in a conveyor type apparatus while checking the equipment. Anzora worked at Prestige Commercial Laundry Services.


Cab Driver Slain in Random Shooting

November 26, MAYWOOD, IL - 56 year old Luis Cordoba of Melrose Park was shot once in the head while he was waiting to pick up a customer Saturday in Maywood. The passenger suffered a non-fatal gunshot. Police say Cordoba nor his passenger were the intended targets and the bullets were apparently random.


Worker Killed Using Back Hoe

November 26, ROCK HILL, SC - 18 year old Maynro Perez of Charlotte, NC died at a construction site Saturday. Authorities did not say how Perez died, but it involved a back hoe. He worked for Kemp Construction.


Truck Driver Killed in Fiery Crash

November 25, MOFFAT COUNTY, CO - 62 year old Donald O'Neil of Huntington, UT died when his tractor trailer crashed in Colorado Friday. Authorities say he was hauling crude oil and when he failed to negotiate a curve, the truck rolled, exploded and burst into flames.


Firefighter Dies of Cardiac Arrest

November 24, HOT SPRINGS, NC - Firefighter Johnny Norton died Thursday after collapsing from cardiac arrest while participating in a search. No details were provided.


Highway Maintenance Worker Struck and Killed

November 23, PORT CHARLOTTE, FL - 53 year old Steven Arthur Morgan, an employee for DBI, was struck and killed by a driver who lost control of his vehicle Wednesday. The driver of the vehicle lost control while attempting to slow down for another accident.


Crew Member Killed on Movie Set

November 23, NEW ORLEANS, LA - Mike Huber died Wednesday when the scissor lift he was on toppled over. Huber, a crew member hired by Paramount Pictures was working on the set for a new movie. He was dismantling one of the film's sets when the incident occurred.


Man Dies When Pinned Between Trucks

November 22, RAYMOND, WI - 57 year old Avner Hizmi of Brookfield died when he was pinned between two semi's at Javco Trailer Sales in Raymond. Hizmi was found in a rear lot at the business where he had been pinned between a semitrailer that was backing up and a parked semitrailer, according to sheriff's reports.


Road Worker Dies When Struck by Van

November 21, HOUSTON, TX - Adan Martinez was struck and killed while working along I-45 Monday. Deputies said Martinez was picking up a road work sign that was in the safety zone in between the outside lane of the freeway and the exit ramp for Airtex when a van traveling southbound on the freeway hit him.


Fall Causes Worker's Death

November 21, WEST JEFFERSON, NC - 61 year old Jose Eligio Muniz-Arriaga died after falling from a trailer while unloading Christmas trees Monday. A sheriff's spokesman said it is unclear if he suffered a medical issue or just lost his footing on the trailer, but when he fell he hit his head and broke his neck.


Barge Dies After Fall Into River

November 21, CANNELTON, IN - 43 year old James Gamblin of Paducah, KY died after falling into the Ohio River from the Ganis R. Brewer barge Monday. According to reports, the vessel struck a wall at the Cannelton Locks and Dam near Cannelton. The impact caused the vessel's barges to separate and Gamblin fell into the river about midway between Evansville and Louisville, Ky. He was wearing a life vest.


Iron Worker Collapses at Work Site

November 21, RICHLAND, WA - 67 year old Andrew Hrebeniuk was found unresponsive inside a construction worksite restroom on Monday. Hrebeniuk, an iron worker at Hanford Nuclear Reservation Waste plant, was given CPR before being transported to a local hospital but he could not be revived.


Horse-Play at Work Site Turns Tragic

November 21, MIAMI, FL - 58 year old Jorge Mendez Alverez was shot in the chest Monday by a co-worker Monday. According to the co-worker's arrest affidavit, Alverez and he were horse-playing and Alverez started swinging a knife. The co-worker grabbed a gun, and believing it to be unloaded, shot Alverez in the chest. Both men were employed by Horizon Contractors.


Tow Truck Driver Struck and Killed

November 20, MANLIUS, NY - 53 year old Todd Young of Mattydale was killed Sunday while he was loading a disabled vehicle near Syracuse. Young, an employee for a Mattydale tow company, was outside his truck helping a driver whose vehicle broke down when he was struck by a passing tractor trailer.



Robbery Results in Shop Owner's Death

November 20, BROOKLYN, NY - 58 year old Carlos Rosario was shot to death inside his Bushwick Tire Shop on Sunday. The suspect walked into the shop asking about hubcaps or rims. Reports say Rosario asked the man to leave but he shot Rosario three times before fleeing.


Electric Worker Killed When Knocked From Boom Truck

November 20, SEVEN SPRINGS, NC - 45 year old Donald Deaver, an employee for Tri County Electric, fell about 26 feet when he was knocked out of the bucket of his boom truck Sunday. Deaver was working to restore electricity when a semi clipped his truck causing him to topple out of the bucket. OSHA is investigating.


Bouncer Shot to Death Inside Club

November 20, LAWTON, OK - 43 year old Kevin Rollins was found shot inside the restroom of Club Excape Sunday morning. Police has not released any further information nor made any arrest.


Driver of Flatbed Truck/Trailer Killed in Rollover

November 20, JACKSON COUNTY, FL - 38 year old Randy Bates of Gallion, AL was killed when the flatbed tractor trailer he was driving overturned, spilling his load of spools of wire on Sunday. Bates was exiting a sweeping left corner when the truck left the road and entered the median before flipping over.


Roofer Dies in Fall

November 18, CHICAGO, IL - 41 year old Jorge Padilla died Friday as the result of a fall from a building roof. Padilla was working on the roof of a new four-story residential building on the Northwest Side when he stepped into a shaft and fell to his death, authorities said today.


Cab Driver Shot to Death

November 19, SAVANNAH, GA - 65 year old James Wood was a beloved regular at a local Waffle House. He will be greatly missed by many people. He was found was found shot to death behind the wheel of his Yellow Cab car Saturday night. Wood, who was careful who he picked up, crashed the cab into a chain link fence after he was shot. Two young men has been arrested and charged with Wood's murder.


Miner Dies As Ground Crumbles Under Feet

November 19, MULLEN, ID - 26 year old Brandon Lloyd Gray of Kellogg died Saturday of injuries he received on November 17 inside the Lucky Friday mine. Officials said Gray was working deep underground when lose material began giving way beneath him and another miner. He was wearing all appropriate safety equipment but the ground may have given away too slowly for the seat-belt type device to activate. Another miner was also injured but survived. Gray worked for Cementation USA, Inc.


Video Store Worker Murdered

November 19, BROOKLYN, NY - 54 year old Nimala Randunu was found dead inside the adult video store he was working at Saturday morning. Police say Randunu suffered head trauma.


Man Dies in Incident with Wood Chipper

November 18, BELLEVILLE, IL - 54 year old Richard A. Risinger of Alton was killed when he was partially pulled into a tow-behind wood chipping machine on Friday. Authorities said it appears he was feeding a large tree branch into the machine when he was somehow entangled and pulled into it. His wife was also working with him on the job.


Crash Kills Dump Truck Driver

November 16, QUITMAN, AR - 74 year old Jimmie Whitly died Wednesday when he lost control of his dump truck on a curve and overturned. He was wearing a seat belt but died at the scene.






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Landfill Employee Dies When Tractor Flips

November 17, AVONDALE, LA - 25 year old Alexsaunder Edwards of Algiers died after the covered all-terrain vehicle he was driving flipped over at the Jefferson Parish Landfill in Avondale and caused him to drown in a canal. Police say Edwards was riding near the rear of the landfill on a canal bank when his vehicle lost traction, slid into the canal and flipped over. Edwards' father was working at the same location and attempted to revive his son but was unsuccessful.


Police Officer Shot by Bank Robbers

November 17, VALLEJO, CA - 45 year old James Capoot, an officer for the Vallejo Police Department, was shot while he was in a foot pursuit with bank robbers Thursday. Capoot had caused the get-away vehicle spin out just before the foot pursuit started. Other officers, also in pursuit, heard shots and found Capoot wounded in a backyard. He later died of gunshot wounds at a local hospital.


Highway Worker Dies When Struck by Truck

November 17, ROUND ROCK, TX - 50 year old Timothy Denerrio of Austin was struck and killed Thursday while working along I-35 near Round Rock. Denerrio was working with others doing litter clean up when the driver of a truck went out of control and into the grass, striking Denerrio. Denerrio had worked at Easter Seals Central Texas. TxDOT hired contract workers through the non-profit group. UPDATE: Authorities have correctly identified the full name of the worker as Timothy Denerrio Roy.


Tunnel Worker Dies of Head Injury

November 17, LONG ISLAND, NY - 26 year old Michael O'Brien died when a rock fell and hit him on the head Thursday. O'Brian, was working as a Sandhog inside the Long Island Railroad Tunnel alongside his father, who tried to save his son with CPR. O'Brien was then transported through the tunnels to the hospital where he died. The project is being done by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.


Worker Killed by Falling Debris

November 16, CHICAGO, IL - An unidentified man in his 40's was killed at a construction demo site this morning. The man had been working on the top floor of a three-story building when the beam and part of the ceiling fell on him, according to Gresham District police Lt. John Francis. The man worked for Heneghan Wrecking. UPDATE: Authorities have identified 39 year old Miguel Caltzontzin as the worker who was killed.


Farm Worker Electrocuted

November 16, MANATEE, FL - 44 year old Fernando Melechor died when he was electrocuted Wednesday. Authorities say a metal boom on a tractor he was driving came in contact with a live wire. He was electrocuted when he stepped off the tractor and touched the ground.


Tractor Trailer Driver Crushed Under Rig

November 16, MORRISON, CO - James Horsefield of New Mexico was found dead Wednesday partially under his disabled semi. Police say it appears Horsefield crawled under the semi to check out a suspension issue with the truck when the suspension gave way and the truck fell onto Horsefield. His tools were found under the truck when the discovered Horsefield.


Tanker Driver Dies in Crash

November 16, CLIFTON, CO - 59 year old Edward F. McCord of Grand Junction died in a crash of his empty water tanker Wednesday. For an unknown reason, McCord lost control of the tanker and rolled it into the median on I-70 near Clifton.


Man Dies Weeks After Burn Injuries

November 15, MAYWOOD, IL - 53 year old Gabe Rocha of Portage has died almost a month after suffering burns he received in a steel mill explosion. Rocha was a manager at ArcelorMittal's Burns Harbor plant when an oxygen vessel exploded. He suffered burns to most of the back side of his body. He had been in a medically induced coma since the incident. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.


Man Crushed at Scrap Yard

November 15, WASHINGTON, PA - 75 year old William Brookman, owner of Brookman Iron & Metals, was crushed under a steel bucket he was cutting with a blow torch which fell on him. OSHA will be conducting an investigation, but the coroner has said Brookman's death was an accident.


One Worker Dead, Another Critical After Toxic Exposure

November 15, FULLERTON, CA - 62 year old Roberto Magdariaga has died and another employee is in critical condition after being exposed to toxic fumes inside a tank at a paint manufacturing plant. Both men were working at Vista Paints, inside a confined space and using what authorities believe to be paint stripper chemical when they were overcome by the fumes. The men were found by another co-worker who called for help.


Mechanic Found Dead Inside Business

November 14, NORWALK, CT - 55 year old William Boone, owner of Boone's Auto Service, was found dead Monday morning by other employees arriving for work. Boone was found slumped over the steering wheel of a running pick up truck inside the garage. Police say he most likely died of carbon monoxide poisoning.


Surface Miner Dies When Dozer Rolls

November 14, LOUELLEN, KY - 28 year old David J. Middleton of Baxter died Monday from injuries he received on November 2 at Nally & Hamilton Enterprise's Mill Branch Mine. Middleton was doing reclamation work on a highwall when the bulldozer flipped several times and landed in the road, according to reports from federal mining officials. Middleton suffered head injuries and was found unconscious.


Tractor Trailer Driver Killed in Crash

November 14, FRONT ROYAL, VA - 39 year old Mark Sheridan Flinn of Moorefield, WV died after his tractor trailer struck the back of another tractor trailer on Monday. Police say a semi driver was merging onto I-66 and was trying to pick up speed when Flinn's truck ran into the back of it. Flinn died on the scene, the other driver received no injuries but his passenger received minor injuries.


Out of Control Driver Strikes and Kills Construction Worker

November 14, NEWARK, NJ - 50 year old David Seeley of Washington Township was killed and two other workers injured when a patient at St. Michael's Medical Center lost control of his car and struck the workers. The patient had just received his vehicle from valet and was leaving when he hit the men. Seeley, a contractor, was working at the entrance of the medical center.


Worker Dies as Mower Overturns

November 14, BEAUMONT, TX - 33 year old Enrique Aguilar of Groves died after the mower he was driving overturned into a canal. Aguilar was mowing the right-of-way for Drainage District 6 was killed when his tractor slipped off a canal levee and overturned. He was last scene when he started his shift and was not found until he did not show up at the end of the day.


Police Officer Killed in Wrong Way Crash

November 14, DORAVILLE, GA - 27 year old Robert Wilson, a detective for the Doraville Police Department, was killed instantly in a crash while he was responding to a home invasion call. The driver of an SUV was going the wrong way on I-20 and crashed head on into Wilson vehicle. An investigation is underway.


Worker Run Over by Equipment Dies

November 14, FREDERICK, MD - 37 year old David Garcia of Gaithersburg died at a trauma center in Baltimore after he was struck by a piece of constrution equipment. A skid loader was grading at the Harland J. Shoemaker & Sons LLC property when Garcia was run over. He suffered lower extremity injuries and died at the trauma center.


Farm Worker Dies in Accident

November 14, NORMAN PARK, GA - Martin Fernandez Herrera, a farm worker, died after he was run over by a trailer being pulled by a truck. Reports say Herrera tried to catch a ride by jumping on the trailer while it was being towed. He apparently lost his grip and fell under the wheels of the trailer.


Bartender Shot to Death

November 14, LAS VEGAS, NV - Phil Wells was shot to death while he was working at The Garage bar Monday morning. According to police, Wells' murder was not robbery motivated but while they have arrested a suspect, they do not know the motive at this time.


Cable/Phone Technician Dies From Fall

November 14, LOVELAND, CO - 54 year old David Johnson, a 15 year employee for Century Link, died Monday after falling from a ladder. Johnson was working on a phone or broadband line when he fell. He died on scene of multiple blunt force injuries.


Driver Dies as Semi Crashes Into Bridge

November 13, DANDRIDGE, TN - 59 year old Allen J. McEwen of Willowick, OH was killed his tractor trailer hit a bridge pillar on I-40 Sunday. McEwen lost control of his truck and struck the end of a guard rail and into the pillar.


Livery Cab Driver Shot to Death

November 13, FAR ROCKAWAY, QUEENS, NY - 30 year old Patrick Hall was found dead inside a livery cab Sunday, still clutching cash in his hand. Police say he was shot execution style in the back of his head by someone who had allowed into the back seat.


Farmer Dies After Fall Inside Silo

November 13, MOUND CITY, SD - 48 year old Courtney Lee Livingston Jr. died when he fell 100 feet inside a silo on his farm. Livingston was found by his wife and he died while being flown to a hospital in Bismark.


Warehouse Supervisor Dies in Fall

November 12, HUMMELS WHARF, PA - 62 year old Marvin C. Straub of Middleburg, an employee for Plaza House Furniture, died after he fell from a ladder on Oct. 12 at the warehouse. He was taken to a medical center where he died on Saturday. OSHA will be conducting an investigation.


Tanker Driver Dies in Crash

November 12, BELLEFONTE, PA - 63 year old Raymond R. Coursen died as the result of a crash on State Route 45 on Sunday. Coursen was driving a milk hauling tanker when he lost control of the truck. The truck rolled onto its side and slammed into an embankment. Police say he suffered severe head and neck trauma.


Shipworker Dies After Arm Severed

November 12, MILWAUKEE - 60 year old Ronald Hackensmith of Superior, WI died after his arm was severed in an incident aboard the SS St Mary's Challenger ship that was docked in Milwaukee. Hackensmith worked as a 'conveyorman' who operated the ship's conveyor system, and his arm became caught on the conveyor. His screams were heard by another worker who called for help. Hackensmith was working alone at the time and it is unclear how the incident happened.


Recycling Worker Hit by Truck, Dies

November 11, MAMARONECK, NY - 35 year old Robert Del Vecchio died Friday after he was struck by a truck at a city highway department/recycling yard. Del Vecchio was employed by the Town of Mamaroneck.


Deckhand Drowns After Falling Overboard

November 11, HERNANDO BEACH, FL - 58 year old Robert T. Parker of Spring Hill died Friday after he fell off the port side of a commercial shrimp vessel. Parker, a deckhand for Norman Soucy, was on the front of the boat and possibly due to bad weather Parker was knocked into the water from the waves.


Logger Dies of Head Injury

November 11, FALLS BRANCH, WV - 45 year old Franklin D. Vance Jr. died in a logging incident on Friday. Vance was killed instantly when the tree he was cutting kicked and broke off from the stump, striking him in the head.


Construction Worker Crushed Under Falling Machine

November 11, WEST YORK, NJ - 20 year old Patricio Munoz of Irvington died after he was crushed under a large piece of equipment on Friday. Munoz, an employee for FM Home Improvements, was operating a Pettibone lift, a large piece of equipment with a telescoping platform, and was in the cockpit when the equipment became unstable. Munoz got out of the cockpit and tried to run, although he ran right into the path of the falling machine. OSHA is investigating.


Police Officer Killed in Armed Encounter

November 10, PERU, ME - 46 year old Eric Richard of Rumford was shot three times in an armed encounter with a Maine warden. At the time, state police troopers and wardens were helping Rumford police search a wooded area in Rumford for the warden, who was armed and had been reported as despondent.


Fire Police Officer Dies at Scene of Crash

November 10, ROTHSVILLE, PA - 71 year old Ed Steffy suffered a fatal heart attack while on the scene of a crash Thursday. Steffy was a 53 year veteran officer of the Rothsville Fire Company.


Security Guard Shot During Robbery

November 10, CHICAGO, IL - 54 year old Reginald Lanier was shot to death during a robbery at an Aldi grocery store in the Auburn-Gresham neighborhood Thursday. Two armed men walked into the store and while one approached the cashier, the other shot Lanier as he came to confront the robbers. Lanier didn't feel safe taking this job, but after being laid off another job he knew he had to do this to support his family.


Construction Worker Hit by Semi Truck

November 10, BRECKSVILLE, OH - 40 year old John Costlow of Akron died after being struck Thursday by a semi truck that went off the roadway. The semi driver stopped after the incident, saying he leaned over to retrieve some papers and when he looked up, Costlow was in front of his truck. Costlow worked for KoKosing Construction who had been hired by the Ohio Department of Transporation to do expansion work.


Employee Falls Down Elevator Shaft

November 9, CANTON, IL - 47 year old Lisa Bickell of Bryant died of spinal injuries when she fell down an elevator shaft to a basement floor. Bickell arrived at the business and entered through a back service entrance. From the main level, she raised the safety gate to enter the elevator, the car of which was on the third floor. She stepped into the open shaft and fell 9 feet to the basement and suffered spinal injuries. She was employed by Black Crow Candle Co.


Worker Dies of Head Injury

November 8, VERNAL, UT - 55 year old Kelton Lee was injured while working on Oct. 26. Witnesses on the scene say Lee was lifting a 21-foot piece of pipe off a truck at his workplace, Stearns Construction Company, when his legs gave out, causing him to lose his balance and drop the pipe. When he fell, the pipe struck him in the head rendering him unconscious. He was first transported to a hospital by ambulance, then life-flighted to another. It is unclear whether he died on Oct. 26 or the article posting date of November 8.


Worker Dies When Clothes Caught in Machine

November 7, LANCASTER, MA - 38 year old Russell Walker of Fitchburg died after he became entangled in a cardboard box folding machine. Police say it appears a piece of Walker's clothing became tangled in the drive shaft of the machine. Walker was employed by Horn Packaging.


Miner from Mine Safety Site:
9/23/11 - New York - John P. Collingwood was working in the Freedom Pit mine for LaFarge SA. The report lists only a Slip or Fall of worker.












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Crash Into Fuel Tanker Kills Driver

November 9, CHANDLER, AZ - An unidentified milk truck driver is dead following a crash into the back of a tanker truck. The driver of the milk truck slammed into the back of the tanker which was carrying 7,700 gallons of diesel gas byproduct causing it to ignite into flames. The driver was caught in the intense fire and could not be saved. The driver of the fuel tanker was shaken but uninjured and was able to get free of the truck on his own.


Driver Killed as Tanker Truck Crashes

November 9, BELLEVUE, WA - 56 year old Arville James Chappell of Port Orchard died in a crash of his tanker truck Wednesday morning. The crash happened near a freeway exit when the truck struck a jersey barrier which caused the truck to tip over onto its roof, crushing the truck's cab. Chappell died at the scene.


Tractor Trailer Driver Killed as Truck Overturns

November 8, MONROE, NJ - 39 year old Emil Deleon of Union City died after losing control of his tractor trailer on a freeway exit ramp. Deleon was hauling recycled paper bales and as Deleon rounded the curve the truck tipped over on the driver's side onto a guard rail. Police say Deleon was killed on impact.


Driver Ignores Work Zone Cones, Kills Worker

November 8, SPRING HILL, FL - 28 year old Steven Thompson of Dade City was struck and killed by a driver who ignored a clearly marked road work zone. Authorities say the driver failed to merge as directed and continued down the closed lane straight towards the work area. She then struck a barrel before running into Thompson. He was rushed to an area hospital where he died of his injuries.


Truck Driver Dies in Fiery Crash

November 8, RICHWOOD, OH - 49 year old Fred G. Steinhelfer of West Mansfield was killed in a crash of his semi Tuesday. According to authorities Steinhelfer lost control of the tractor-trailer and veered off the road. The rig then crashed into power lines before catching fire. Steinhelfer was trapped inside the rig.


Worker Dies in Incident With Machine

November 8, BRILLION, WI - An unidentified man was killed Tuesday at Brillion Iron Works. The employee worked with equipment that transfers containers holding sand used in molding, and was injured by the machinery. He was transported to an area hospital where he died.


Worker Dies After Being Rescued From Building Collapse

November 8, BRIGHTON BEACH/BROOKLYN, NY - It is being reported that 54 year old Ivan Lendel died of heart failure after being rescued from a major condo building collapse in Brighton Beach Tuesday. Officials said concrete is normally spread from the bottom floors up, but the contractor, possibly to save time, started with the third floor and was working down which is what caused the floors to buckle and collapse. It is unclear who Lendel worked for but the building contractor was SP&K Construction and owners of the property are RS Condo LLC with Bricolage Architecture & Design as the design firm.


Worker Dies in Machine Related Incident at Plant

November 7, CANTON, SD - 42 year old Larry Kinzer of Sioux Falls died Monday of unspecified injuries at the Adams Thermal Systems plant in Canton. Authorities have said Kinzer died after a machine-related accident but they haven't released details. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been called in to investigate.


Man Dies Working in Rock Quarry

November 7, DEWITT, IA - 82 year old Bruce Arvin Anderson died Monday in an incident involving a rock crushing machine at Anderson Quarry. Co-workers last saw Anderson near the machine where the rock enters a crusher. When the co-worker returned he could not find Anderson. After searching, Anderson was found trapped inside the machine.


Miner Killed in Equipment Incident

November 7, EOLIA, KY - 47 year old Jerry Britton of Pound, VA was killed inside the Hubble Mining Co. Number 9 mine in Eolia. Britton died when a piece of equipment hit him in the underground mine. He was a mine foreman. State mine investigators are at the scene to investigate.


Flatbed Truck Flips, Killing Driver

November 7, RUSH COUNTY, IN - 43 year old Ryan L. Moore of Laurel was killed in a crash of his flatbed truck. Moore was hauling shingles on the flatbed when it went off the side of the road. He over-corrected and went off the other side of the road where the truck rolled. Moore died at the scene.


Pawn Shop Employee Shot to Death

November 7, CLINTON, TN - 58 year old Larry Snellings died of gunshot wounds after a man posing as a customer somehow loaded a shotgun he was looking at. After a struggle with the man, Smellings was shot. Another employee, hearing the commotion, was able to shoot the gunman who was later arrested at his home.


Worker Dies in Construction Site Incident

November 6, BRANSON, MO - 41 year old Ray Strawn died after falling from a lift boom on a construction project at Palace View Resort. Authorities say Strawn was inside a wooden box being lifted off the ground by a boom lift. When the box was about 25 feet in the air, it became unstable and fell from the lift with Strawn inside. OSHA is investigating. Strawn worked for a subcontractor for Larry Snyder Construction.


Construction Worker Crushed

November 6, LISBON, CT - 64 year old Charles Wojtkun died on a construction job early Sunday morning. Police said a construction crew was clearing a sight line for a land lot. The crew started to remove a tree with the excavator and Wojtkun was pinned against the tree and run over.


Semi Crash on Icy Highway Kills Driver

November 6, TIOGA, ND - 24 year old Matthew McQueen of Texas died and his passenger injured after his tractor trailer rig went out of control on an icy highway and overturned. Authorities did not release the town in Texas McQueen is from.


Passenger Killed in Grain Truck Rollover

November 6, ARBUCKLE, CA - 39 year old Luis Rodriguez of College City was the passenger in a grain truck that crashed near Arbuckle in Colusa County. The truck driver was towing two bottom dump grain trailers when his truck drifted onto the right shoulder. The truck then rolled and ejected Rodriguez. He died at a local hospital.


Worker Crushed Under Falling Material

November 4, EGELSTON, MI - An unidentified man died at the Sun Chemical plant on Friday from blunt force trauma. According to reports the man was hit by a falling bag of pigment, which is made at the plant. No other details or information was given.


Pizza Deliveryman Fatally Shot

November 4, BLOOMINGTON, IN - 22 year old Adam Sarnecki died after being shot in the back while trying to run from a gunman Friday. Sarnecki, an employee for Pizza X, returned to the store after a delivery when he came upon a man trying to break into other employee cars. When he confronted the man, he pulled out a gun and shot Sarnecki in the back as he ran into the store. He was able to give police information before he died later after surgery.


Cement Truck Driver Dies in Crash

November 4, MARENGO, OH - 50 year old Timothy F. Vansickle died after the cement truck he was driving crashed and rolled over on Route 37. The truck was owned by Buckeye Ready Mix. No details of cause of the crash were given.


Two Fatalities Tied to Sewer Line Manhole

November 3, FAIRVIEW, TX - 44 year old Jeronimo Cruz of Arlington and an unidentified co-worker died after being overcome by toxic fumes Thursday. Three men working for S.J.Louis Construction, were working to remove a plug from a North Texas Municipal Water District sewer line when one man entered a manhole and was overcome by toxic gas, rendering him unconscious. A second man returned from retrieving a rope to find another worker unconscious in the manhole and the first man missing. The unidentified man's body was recovered Friday but family has not released his name.


Worker Crushed in Worksite Incident

November 3, SPRINGFIELD, MO - William "Cole" Hambelton, believed to be around 19 years old, was fatally injured at Paul Mueller Company Thursday. Authorities say he was pinned between a truck and trailer at the north yard of the stainless steel equipment manufacturing company.


Worker Crushed to Death by Crane Collapse

November 3, JUNEAU, AK - 75 year old Boyd Cody died when the 25 ton crane he was operating collapsed on Thursday. Cody was operating a barge crane and when it started to collapse, he reportedly tried to jump out of the machine, but was crushed by it. OSHA is investigating.


Young Man Dies in Trench Collapse

November 3, GILMAN, MN - 19 year old James Tilson of River Falls died Thursday after he was trapped in a trench collapse. No other details are available and the incident is under investigation.


Police Officer Dies of Work-Related Injury

November 3, SAN BERNARDINO, CA - Officer Daniel Clark died of complications after surgery to repair an ankle injury. Clark joined a foot pursuit on January 18 and injured his ankle, which never fully healed correctly. He suffered a pulmonary embolism caused by blood clots resulting from the surgery Thursday.


College Instructor Dies in Fall

November 2, LAFAYETTE, IN - 36 year old Craig Porter died after falling 65 feet from a wind turbine structure Wednesday. Porter, an instructor for Ivy Tech Community College, was teaching on a 65-foot-tall tower used to teach wind turbine technology when he fell. The circumstances of the fall are unclear but reports say a student was with him on the tower when he fell. School officials say he was wearing a safety harness.


Gunmen Kill Two Store Employees, One Supplier

November 2, CHICAGO, IL - Several gunmen burst into The Connect Convenience store on Chicago's Far South Side on Wednesday and opened fire, killing two employees and one who was making a delivery. 46 year old Ibah Arafeh of Lansing was making his final delivery of the night; 30 year old Michael Banks was the store's security guard and 25 year old Weam Salem was a store employee who were shot and killed by the gunmen.


Worker Dies at Food Distribution Center

November 2, INDIANAPOLIS, IN - 61 year old Stephen Foster died of unknown circumstances at C&S Logistic's Marsh Supermarket warehouse. He was transported to an area hospital where police say he died of significant injuries.


Pizza Delivery Driver Shot and Killed

November 2, HOUSTON, TX - 40 year old Phillip Little was attacked and shot by an unknown number of assailants Wednesday. Little arrived at a residence to deliver a pizza but the woman who lived there had not placed the order. Little was attacked as he walked back to his car in a probably robbery attempt. Little was able to drive away but crashed his car into a house. He later died at a local hospital.


Man Dies in Incident With Scissor Lift

November 1, SIOUX FALLS, SD - 58 year old Bruce Lynn Leibfried of Arko, MN died while operating a scissor lift at a post officer in Sioux Falls. Leibfried, an electrician, was killed when the bucket of his crane was lodged between some tubing and a rafter in the ceiling, according to Det. Sean Kooistra of the Sioux Falls Police Department.


Worker Trying to Stay Warm Dies of Toxic Exposure

October 29, QUEENS, NY - 21 year old Jorge Perez died and his cousin seriously injured when they started a lawn mower in a confined area in order to stay warm. Both men suffered carbon monoxide poisoning from the running mower. Perez was part of a landscape crew who called it an early day due to the weather and he and his cousin were riding in the back of a truck with the equipment. The fired up the mower in an attempt to stay warm.


Man Fatally Injured Trimming Tree

October 28, MONROEVILLE, PA - 47 year old Steven Evans of Plum died cut himself with a chainsaw while working in a tree at a home in Monroeville. Evans was up in a tree using a chain saw when he cut his leg with the saw. He was unconscious and bleeding heavily when emergency responders arrived on the scene.










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