City worker killed in SF tow truck accident was mother to toddler
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KTVU) – A city worker, who was a mother to a little girl, died after a vehicle slid off a tow truck and into the path of the worker Wednesday afternoon in San Francisco, a police spokeswoman said. Just before 2:00 p.m., a black Buick was being loaded onto the bed of a Dodge flat-bed style tow truck on 28th and Diamond streets when it “slipped” and rolled back, police said. Three city employees on foot were involved. One woman was struck and transported with life-threatening injuries to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital where she died, hospital officials confirmed. The woman has been identified as 34-year-old Lilianna Preciado, a utility plumber. She was on a one-day job fixing a leak and replacing some pipe when the accident happened.
Family mourns construction worker killed by 18-wheeler on California freeway
PICO RIVERA, California — A construction worker killed while trying to pick up traffic cones on a freeway earlier this week was just 33 years old and recently married.
Jessie Romero knew the dangers of his job, his family said. His oldest brother Maro said Jessie was the youngest of seven. “Jessie was loved by about a million people, I don’t know. He touched lives everywhere, starting on freeways, starting on…you know, you never knew where he was going to touch lives,” Maro said. Jessie worked for a Caltrans subcontractor. He was simply doing his job when he was hit by a big rig shortly before 5 a.m. Tuesday along the shoulder of the southbound 605 Freeway. “The driver of the truck tractor said he moved to the right to avoid a vehicle coming into his lane, and he believed he had enough room to make it by the other vehicle on the shoulder but he didn’t,” said California Highway Patrol Capt. David Moeller.
Utility Worker Killed
Emerson, IA — MidAmerican Energy says an investigation is under way after one contract worker was killed and another injured trying restore power in southwestern Iowa. Officials say the accident happened Wednesday while they were repairing storm damage near Emerson in Mills County. The victims’ names were not immediately released. MidAmerican spokesman Geoff Greenwood issued a statement, saying,” we’re simply heartbroken by what occurred. Our concerns and thoughts are with the family and friends of both of these people.” Thousands of customers lost power during Mondays night’s severe thunderstorms.
‘A cop’s cop:’ Decorated NYPD chief dies from 9/11 illness
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — William Allee was a cop’s cop. The decorated officer slept with his shield under his pillow when he rose through the ranks and became chief of detectives. But that didn’t mean he was running things from a cushy office. He was instead on the streets helping his cops, and above all, his beloved city. The Willowbrook native sifted through the wreckage at the Fresh Kills landfill after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and fought against drugs, gangs and prostitution in the Lower East Side. “It was always in his heart,” said his daughter, Diana Allee-Fulton. Allee, 76, died last month from a 9/11-related illness at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He is the highest-ranking uniform cop to die of a Sept. 11 illness, his family said.
Window Washing Company That Employed Fallen Employee Has History of Safety Violations
San Diego, CA — A window washer died Tuesday after falling from the top of an eight-floor high-rise condo complex in downtown San Diego. The worker, identified as 61-year-old James Stinson from Jamul, was rushed to the hospital just before 9 a.m. from the building at 11th and J Streets. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, San Diego police said. Investigators say Stinson was in his harness preparing to wash windows on the second floor of the Metrome Condo complex when he repelled from the top and fell eight stories to the ground, Lt. Christian Sharp said. The Lakeside company Barry’s Window Cleaning was last cited in February 2015 according to the U.S. Department of Labor website.It was also cited in 2014 for ten safety violations and fined thousands of dollars by Cal/OSHA.
Trucker killed in hit-and-run accident on I-70 in Southern Illinois
Fayette County, IL — A 46-year-old Canadian tractor-trailer driver was killed in a hit-and-run accident on Wednesday night in Fayette County. Illinois State Police said Peter F. Peters of Elmira, Ontario, was parked on the right shoulder of eastbound Interstate 70 near mile marker 55 at about 8:50 p.m. Wednesday. He was standing at about the middle of the flatbed trailer when the driver of another semi and trailer sideswiped him. Peters was pinched between the two trailers, police said. He died at the scene.
Berwyn man dead after being run over by trailer at CSX rail yard on South Side
West Englewood, IL — A Berwyn man was pronounced dead after being run over by a trailer Wednesday morning at the CSX rail yard in West Englewood. Paramedics were called about 11:30 a.m. for a “driver down” at the CSX Intermodal Terminal rail yard at 2101 W. 59th St., according to the Chicago Fire Department. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead.The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified him as Gabriel Sanchez, 47. An autopsy was conducted Thursday, but a ruling on his death was pending further investigation. Sanchez was working at the rail yard for Strictly Trailer Repair, Inc., according to Rhonda Burke, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Labor. The Westmont-based company is a contractor at the CSX facility. Sanchez was operating a “spotter trailer” when he was struck by the driver’s side, rear tandem wheels of the trailer as he was moving a piece of equipment for repair, Burke said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has open an investigation with his employer.
Worker electrocuted at house construction site in Anne Arundel Co.
ODENTON, Md. (WBFF) – A construction worker died after being electrocuted on the site of a new home in Anne Arundel County Wednesday afternoon, reported county fire officials. The incident was reported at about 2:10 p.m. in the area of Annapolis Road just east of Piney Orchard Parkway in Odenton. The construction worker, a man in his thirties, made contact with an electrical line, said an Anne Arundel fire spokesperson. Paramedics tried to resuscitate the victim. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Body of worker trapped after gas station blast located
BENSALEM, Pa. (AP) – Officials say the body of a man trapped underground by a gas station explosion in Pennsylvania has been located, but efforts to recover the body continue. Bensalem Public Safety Director Fred Harran says 2 feet of debris is hampering recovery of the body near one of the station’s three 8,000-gallon (30,000-liter) gasoline tanks. Harran said workers were trying to remove water from the vault surrounding the gasoline tank at the Liberty Gas station when the blast occurred around 5 p.m. Tuesday, trapping the victim. Another man rushed to a hospital was reported in critical but stable condition Wednesday. Rescue workers were sent down immediately but were quickly withdrawn because high gas levels and debris underground made conditions too hazardous.
Kamiah Mills employee dies
Kamiah, ID — The Lewis County Coroner’s Office responded to a death at Kamiah Mills in Kamiah on Wednesday, June 6. George D. Deardorff, 62, an employee of Kamiah Mills, had died while working at the mill. An autopsy has been completed and a determination of cause of death is pending, awaiting autopsy results.
Terre Haute Construction Worker Killed By Falling Beam
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ind. — A construction worker from Terre Haute was killed on the job Tuesday morning. The 49-year-old man was working on I-74 near the exit for State Road 32 when a steel beam fell on him, says The Journal Review newspaper in Crawfordsville. His coworkers and emergency personnel at the work site tried to save him, but their efforts were unsuccessful.
Worker Killed in Demolition Collapse at Georgia Paper Mill
Savannah, GA — Fire officials say a worker is dead after he was pinned beneath falling debris while doing demolition work at a Georgia paper mill. Savannah fire department spokeswoman Jenel Few says a boiler platform collapsed Tuesday morning at the mill owned by International Paper as a demolition crew was cutting through pipes to remove the structure. She told news outlets that a man working on a manlift was trapped beneath a mass of fallen boiler pipes. Few said a rescue team of firefighters cleared a path to the worker, but found him dead. International Paper identified the man as a contract worker named Juan Medina. Company spokeswoman Karen Bogans said Memphis, Tenn., based International Paper is working with authorities to determine what caused the collapse.
Worker Killed in Mixer Accident at Soap Manufacturer
Petaluma, CA — A worker died Monday at a California soap manufacturing facility after becoming trapped in production machinery, local news organizations reported. First responders arrived at the Rough Research Inc. facility in Petaluma, CA at about 2 p.m. after the man became trapped in a piece of operational mixing equipment, Lt. Tim Lyons of the Petaluma Police Department told the Santa Rose Press-Democrat. The man succumbed to his injuries before rescue personnel reached him.
‘Workers Need to Think Safety’: Hawaii Reports Surge in Serious Incidents
Honolulu, HI – Four workers in Hawaii were killed and seven were seriously injured during a 20-day span in May, according to the state’s Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, prompting further investigation from the Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division. Each of the fatalities involved moving equipment. One occurred when a heavy equipment boom lift holding a utility pole collapsed, causing the pole to strike a worker. Others include a worker who fell from a tipped forklift, another who was killed “when a golf-type cart lurched forward into a wall,” and one who died after operating a riding mower that slid down a slope and over a retaining wall. “This surge in serious industrial accidents is a harsh reminder for employers and workers to think about safety when taking any work actions,” Hawaii DLIR Director Leonard Hoshijo said in a May 29 press release states.
Tree worker from Athol dies in fall in Medway
Medway, MA — A tree worker from Athol died in Medway on Monday after apparently falling from a tree. Lewis P. Umbenhower III, 38, died as a result of his injuries at Milford Regional Medical Center, according to a statement released by the town of Medway. The Medway Police and Fire Communications Center received a 911 emergency call stating a man at 27 Broken Tree Road fell approximately 30 feet out of a tree, according to the statement. Preliminary investigation indicated that Mr. Umbenhower was cutting a portion of a tree when he fell.
Firefighter dies while fighting west Texas wildfire
Odessa, TX — A firefighter from the Weatherford Fire Department died Sunday while battling a wildfire in west Texas. Richard “Andy” Loller Jr., 42, suffered an unspecified medical emergency and died on a medical plane on the way to an Odessa hospital, according to the City of Weatherford. “We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Andy’s passing,” said City Manager Sharon Hayes. “He will be sorely missed by the community and all who knew and worked with him. Our prayers are with his family at this time.” Loller was part of the crew battling the Scenic Loop Complex fire in the Davis Mountains.
NC volunteer firefighter dies in crash while responding to rescue call
AKBORO NC — A North Carolina volunteer firefighter was killed in a wreck while in the line of duty Sunday evening. According to the East Side Volunteer Fire Department, Dakota Snavely was killed in a wreck after leaving a friend’s house near Oakboro. He was headed to Morrow Mountain State Park to respond to a water rescue, crews said
Man, 51, killed in elevator shaft fall in Logan Square
Chicago, IL A man died Monday afternoon after falling down an elevator shaft while working at a Logan Square neighborhood building. Emergency crews responded about noon to the building at 4000 W. Diversey, according to Chicago Police. Rafael Chacon, 51, was found in the elevator shaft and taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 1:47 p.m., police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said. He lived in the Little Village neighborhood.
Dollar General offering $10,000 reward for information in fatal robbery
INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Dollar General is offering a $10,000 reward for information connected to a robbery at an Indianapolis location last month, where an employee was killed. Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department were called to the Dollar General in the 5400 block of Emerson Way at about 4 p.m. on May 27. They found an employee who had been shot twice. Brian Eure, 41, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was shot when he reached for the alarm by somebody trying to rob the store.
Family, friends remember local woman at vigil at Happy’s Pizza
TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) – Family and friends gathered at Happy’s Pizza on Dorr Street Monday night to remember a local woman who was shot and killed on the job. A GoFundMe account has also been set up by her boss to aid her family. A gunman ambushed Sadari Knighten nearly a week ago, killing the 27-year-old, moments after she delivered a pizza to a home in central Toledo.
Postal carrier dies on route
Goergetown, KY– A Georgetown postal carrier passed out and died Friday while on his route. Daniel Rosenbach, 42, was completing his first week with the Georgetown branch of the U.S. Post Office when he collapsed Friday afternoon around 5 p.m. said Scott County Coroner John Goble. He had shadowed another carrier Monday through Thursday, but Friday he started his own walking mail route and another new carrier was shadowing him, Goble said. An autopsy was conducted because the death occurred while working, and showed Rosenbach had an enlarged heart, Goble said. Weather is not believed to have been a factor, Goble said, but the temperature at the time of his collapse was about 90, and the humidity was high.
Upper Arlington police identify homicide victim as China Dynasty employee
UPPER ARLINGTON, OH – Police say an Upper Arlington restaurant employee was stabbed to death during an argument outside China Dynasty restaurant Monday afternoon. According to Upper Arlington Police, the victim is 31-year-old Charles Edward Hale McCoy of Columbus. According to police, McCoy was involved in a verbal argument with a female employee. A short time later, the suspect, identified as Jeffery L. Smith, arrived and started fighting with McCoy. Upper Arlington police officer Bryan McKean say the two men had a verbal argument that escalated. “I don’t know how long the two of them knew each other but it does seem they had the female employee in common,” McKean said. During the fight, McCoy was stabbed. He was taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital where he later died.
Worker killed in Pearland industrial accident
Pearland, TX — A worker was killed in an industrial accident at a Pearland pipe yard on Friday, police said. The incident occurred at about 9:20 a.m. at Houston Tubulars, Inc., 13600 Hatfield Road, in Pearland police spokesman Jason Wells said Monday. The worker, who was not identified, was moving a large pipe in the yard with another person when a wood bracket supporting the pipe broke. The worker was crushed to death, Wells said.
Man killed in logging equipment accident in cold brook
COLD BROOK, NY – A man was killed in an accident with logging equipment in the village of Cold Brook on Monday morning, according to New York State Police. The industrial accident occurred at 4391 Norway St. in Cold Brook, Herkimer County. Police say the son of 70-year-old William Kraszewski was moving a large “head rack” from a logging truck across his driveway to an adjacent lawn, and Kraszewski was standing in front of the fork lift in an attempt to stabilize the rack as his son got ready to lower it. Police say the rack then became unstable and fell from the fork lift, striking Kraszewski on the head and pinning him underneath it. Kraszewski was pronounced dead at the scene.
‘A tough loss’ for firefighters, his death is ruled in the line of duty for Whatcom
Whatcom, WA — A former Whatcom County firefighter who died of cancer this week is being listed as a line-of-duty fatality under state law that classifies certain kinds of cancer as job-related. Firefighter John Swobody died Monday night after a years-long battle with lung cancer, said Chief William Pernett of North Whatcom Fire and Rescue. Swobody, 54, died at his Marysville home, surrounded by friends and family.
