The Weekly Toll: Death in the American Workplace

Our hearts go out to the families who have had to endure the loss of a loved one. If we can be of help to you in any way, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Worker Crushed Under Heavy Equipment



June 11, 2015 - Huger, SC - 44 year old Francisco "Cisco" Agbunag of Goose Creek was killed on the job when a piece of equipment fell and struck him. He was an employee for Huger Nucor Steel plant in Huger.


Man Shot to Death at Work

July 15, 2015 - St. John, IN - 58 year old Christopher Badten of Dyer reported for work at Eagle Creek Machining Company as usual along with a coworker.  For some unknown reason, the owner's son who was not an employee, showed up at the business and had an argument and altercation with Badten. The owner went to call authorities when he heard a gunshot and discovered Badten had been shot. The son was arrested and charged with Badten's murder.

Prison Guard Assaulted by Inmate

July 15, 2015 - New Boston, TX - 47 year old Timothy Allen Davison of Simms was a prison guard at the Telfor Unit (prison) for the Department of Criminal Justice when he was attacked by an inmate who he was escorting back to his cell. Somehow the inmate was able to obtain an iron bar and beat Davison to death. The inmate was charged with Davison's murder.

Forklift Operator Falls From Dock

July 15, 2015 - Pontoon Beach, IL - 19 year old Zachary M. Boland died on the job when the forklift he was operating fell backwards and he struck his head. He was using a forklift to load appliances onto a truck. At some point the truck's driver thought it was full and started to drive away which caused the forklift to fall backwards. As the forklift fell he struck his head on the door plate of the loading dock. He was employed by Saddle Creek Corporation.

Exploding Tire Strikes Worker

July 15, 2015 - Frederick, CO - 21 year old Eric Hayden Marshall of Dacono was an employee for B.K. Tire, Inc. and was filling a semi trailer tire when a failure occurred. As he inflated the tire he was struck by the tire and rim as it came apart, knocking him back about 15 feet. Investigators found a broken air chuck next to the tire and some 'blemishes' on pieces of the tire.

Construction Machinery Rolls, Crushes Man

July 15, 2015 - Dickenson, ND - 23 year old Alex Lee of Conway, AR was operating a construction packer machine for a street project when the packer slid down an embankment, rolled on him. He was employed by John T. Jones Construction out of Fargo, ND.

July 16, 2015 - Fallen Hero's Remembered

On July 16 four American Service men were killed during an attack by a radical terrorist on the combined Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center on Amnicola Highway. One Navy Petty Officer was fighting for his life but succumbed to his injuries on July 18.



21 year old Marine Lance Cpl Squire "Skip" Wells of Cobb, GA






40 year old Marine Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan of Hampden, MA





35 year old Marine Staff Sgt. David Wyatt of Hixson, TN





25 year old Marine Sgt. Carson Holmquist of Jacksonville, NC






24 year old Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith of Chattanooga, TN




Towboat Hits Scaffolding, Worker Falls

July 16, 2015 - St. Louis, MO - 24 year old James "Jimmy" Pigue of Dittmer was working with a painting crew on the Eads Bridge when a towboat got off course and struck scaffolding he was standing on. The captain realized he was not lined up correctly  and antennas and equipment on the top of the pilothouse struck scaffolding suspended from the bridge. Part of the scaffolding was torn away causing Pigue to fall onto the deck of the towboat. He was employed by Thomas Industrial of Pevely.

Fiery Crash Kills Trucker

July 16, 2015 - Bushnell, NE - 43 year old Joseph Douglas Geeting of Rock Falls, IL was a tractor trailer semi driver and died in a fiery crash in Nebraska. Authorities say the truck struck a rock embankment and burst into fire. His passenger was taken to an area hospital in fair condition. He was employed by Ice Cold Trucking out of Deer Grove, IL.

Single Vehicle Crashes, Kills One

July 17, 2015 - Williamsport, PA - 53 year old Christopher Kerns of Linden was driving a PennDOT truck, with four other employees, to open a new driver's license center in Towanda. Kerns lost control of the vehicle around a curve causing it to strike a reflector pole and guard rail. The other workers were injured but okay.

Worker Struck by Falling Tree

July 17, 2015 - Sandlick, KY - 19 year old Zachary Archelis Adams was working with an unnamed crew cutting trees when one fell onto him. It is unknown who he was employed by.