TEXA'S FALLEN WORKERS
These are a few of the men and women that went to work in Texas and were fatally injured never going home to their families at the end of their shift. We remember, honor and recognize these men and women for their dedication and hardwork. We would like to sincerely thank the families that shared their loved one's picture and their tragic loss with USMWF.
This photo was sent in by his mom Carrie Meitzner-Akard.
~1/23/2000-7/18/2019~
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Terence Wade Akard, 19Terence was killed on the job in July 2019 while working for Dfw Ponds, Inc. in Graham, Texas. He was active in heavy construction work, constructing a new pond. It was approximately 96 degrees and he became ill. He died of heat stroke.
OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $16,102 penalty for one serious and one other than serious violation. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $9,661 for one serious and one other than serious violation. This case is now closed. Inspection: 1419298.015 - Dfw Ponds, Inc. For hours they disregarded and made fun of Terence's obvious signs of heat stroke. 911 was never called. When Terence was unconscious they did not call 911 or take him to the hospital 10 minutes away. Instead, they drove him nearly an hour home and from there, at his father's insistence, drove him 30 more minutes to a hospital where he was pronounced dead of heat stroke. Every day I mourn my son, every single day, and so it will be for the rest of my life. His life was full of potential, and it was taken from him due to negligence by his employer. I will always be proud of who Terence was. When he died, he was working a summer job before starting college in the Fall. He was a loving, friendly, and dedicated young man. He was a Navy Sea Cadet and on his high school robotics team. He planned on going into robotics as a career and had been offered a scholarship from the U.S. Air Force. Terence was also active with the youth in his church. His life was taken from him through no fault of his own. -Carrie Meitzner-Akard, Mom |
This photo was sent in by his daughter.
~ 2/22/1956 - 1/8/2015~
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Margarito Alvarez, 58
Margarito was killed on the job in January 2015 while working for Harlingen Irrigation in Harlingen, TX. He was working with two other employees repairing a backhoe when the machine's arm swung around and struck him, pinning him between it and the machine. Mr. Alvarez was crushed to death.
This was not in OSHA's jurisdictions. |
This photo was sent in by his sister Sarah Martin.
~ 3/12/1992-8/29/2019 ~
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Riley Beltz, 27Riley was fatally injured on the job in August of 2019 while working for West Techs Chill Water Specialists in Midland, Texas. Riley was fatally injured when he was lifting a heat exchanger using a pulley system. The heat exchanger swung, and struck him in the chest and head.
Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed penalties of $28,338 for three serious citations. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $16,058 for three serious violations. This inspection is closed. Inspection: 1427270.015 - West Techs Chill Water Specialists Riley was an avid fisherman and loved his family especially his nieces and nephews we sure do miss him every day. Since he can't be his own voice I am making it my mission to be his voice. |
This photo was sent in by his mother Wendy Zavala.
~ 5/27/1998-08/19/2022 ~
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Wyatt Denson, 24
Wyatt was fatally injured on the job in August 2022 while working at Primoris Renewable Energy in Snyder, Texas. He was fatally injured when he was struck and crushed by a steel template that fell off the skid steer loader while he was welding.
Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $31,250 penalty for two serious violations. The inspection is still open. Inspection: 1616428.015 - Primoris Renewable Energy My son was vivacious, loving and a friend to everyone he met. His love of life, kindness and giving nature was truly something he was at his very core. He was a son, grandson, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He is and will forever be missed by so many |
This photo was sent in by his mother Loraine Gonzalez.
~ 7/18/1986 - 2/15/2007 ~
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Christopher Andrew Doughty, 18
Christopher was killed on the job in February 2007 while working for Intech in Antonio, Texas. He was killed when caught in auger.
Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $7,250.00 penalty. In an informant settlement the penalty was reduced to $3,500.00. This inspection is closed. |
This photo was sent in by his daughter Jill Fenton.
~ 2/22/1965 - 10/02/2013 ~
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Todd Fenton, 48
Todd was killed on the job in October 2013 while working for Carrollton Farmers Branch Independent School District in Dallas, Texas. He was shot and found eight hours later.
This was not in the OSHA's jurisdiction. ---- On October 2, 1213 my father was brutally murdered in his office, at Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD, by a coworker. Where guns are supposed to be prohibited and against the law. The suspect, fled the scene and is still at large. There has to be a lack of security somewhere since my father's body laid there for 8 hours before being discovered. The investigation is on going and this is all the information I can provide at this time. You may find his obituary at www.beanmasseyburge.co |
This photo was sent in by his widow Mary Gonzalez.
~ 1/4/1950 - 11/12/2004 ~
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Raymundo C. Gonzalez, 54
Ray was killed on the job in November 2004 while working for BP in Texas City, Texas. He was killed in a super heated steam explosion. Leonard Maurice Moore was also killed in this incident.
Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $109,500.00 penalty with seven serious and one willful violation. In an informal settlement the penalties were reduced to $102,500.00 for six serious violations and one willful violation. This case is closed. Inspection: 306482266-Bp Products North America, Inc. ---- Less than 6 months later, another explosion occurred at this same worksite, killing 15 workers. |
This photo was sent in by his widow Kathy Newman Holley
~7/5/1958 ~ 10/24 2011~
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Tommy Joe Holley, Jr. 53Tommy was killed on the job in October, 1996 after working on towers for 35 years. He contracted Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) and suffered stochastic effects of radiation.
This is not in OSHA's jurisdiction. Tommy (of Bridge City, TX) passed away from too much radiation exposure working in the tower business. This exposure causes nausea, headaches, and it affects the heart, lungs, and kidneys. He was a “towerdawg” for 35 years. Tommy worked for 11 years on Radio Towers and 24 years on Cell Towers. |
This photo was sent in by his widow Jenn.
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Steven Kyle Jones, 42Steven was killed while on the job in January 2012 while working for Energy Drilling Company in Longview, TX. Steven was died when he fell 50ft. from a derrick rig.
Federal OSHA investigated and proposed a $6,300.00 penalty for one serious violation. These were not reduced. Inspection: 316093632 - Energy Drilling Company. Stevie was born March 20,1970. He died on Friday January 20, 2012. He was working for Energy Drilling Company out of Natchez, MS. According to the only report we have seen (why by the way was in the Longview, TX newspaper) Stevie fell 50 feet from the derrick to the floor of the rig. He was working on Rig number 1, for Energy Drilling Company, Natches, MS on Rig #1 located near Atlanta, TX. My husband and I are working on this together, and we were his brother and sister in law. |
This photo was sent in by his widow Cordonna Jones.
~ 12/03/1969 – 9/18/2012~
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Undre Deon Jones, 42
Undre was killed on the job in September 2012 while working for FTS International formerly Frec-Tech Services in Cotulla, TX. He was struck by a valve from fracking manifold system that he was working on.
Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $14,000.00 penalties for two serious violations. The case is still open. Inspection: 649898.015 - Fts International, Inc. My husband Undre Jones was an employee of Fts International formerly known as Frac-Tech. Undre is from Shreveport,Louisiana. My husband was killed September 18,2012 while working. He leaves behind a loving wife Cordonna, two beautiful daughters Di'ana Jones(3 yrs.), Dre'ci Jones(1yr.), step daughter Coreshia Byrd. We all miss him more and more each day, wishing and imagining his presence. Throughout the healing process I've learned to "Live One Day At A Time". No one will ever replace our loving father, husband, friend. |
This photo was sent in by his wife Adriana Martinez.
~ 12/9/1979 - 4/22/2009 ~
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Orestes Martinez, 29
Orestes was killed on the job in April 2009 while working for J.T. Vaughn Enterprises in Houston, Texas. He was crushed when a two-ton door fell on him while installing it at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $10,000. 00 penalties for two serious violations. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $3,500.00 for one serious violation. This case is closed. Inspection: 311962583 - J.T. Vaughn Enterprises, Inc. |
This photo was sent in by his wife, Christine Pedregon.
~ 08/21/1971-06/13/2023 ~
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Shawn Pedregon, 51
Shawn was fatally injured on the job in June of 2023 while working for Hjd Capital Electric in San Antonio, Texas. He was fatally injured when he went inside a trench. At the time two restraining chains were hooked and loped into the system. On the third one, he placed one foot on the brace of the bottom shoring for a moment, to get a better grip on the chains, and this step, it caused the bottom shoring to shift. He fell, causing the shoring system to collapse. During this time, a coworker was holding on to one of the 1-inch road plates by hand from the top of the trench, and eventually let it go. As he let it go, the plate fell into the trench, striking him and pinning him down.
OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $62,278 penalty for five serious violations. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $28,929 with four serious violations. The case is still opened. Inspection: 1676832.015 - Hjd Capital Electric My Husband is so amazing, very loving and giving to everyone. He loved me, the children and grandchildren beyond words could ever say. He is so loved. My heart has so much pain and hurt. It may heal in time. But missing and loving my husband is forever. |
This photo was sent in by her daughter Kacy Sandidge Ellis.
~ 03/25/1956 – 11/26/2013 ~
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Gail Sandidge, 57Gail was killed in November 2013 while working for Good Shepherd Ambulatory Surgical Center in Longview, Texas. She was stabbed by a visitor while performing her regular duties as a nurse. Harris Teal, a hospital visitor, was also murdered during the attack, and three others were injured.
This is not in OSHA's jurisdiction.*The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimates that two million American workers experience workplace violence annually, with health care and social services workers at particularly high risk. The U.S. Department of Justice reports that nearly 500,000 nurses are victims of violence in the hospital each year, most of them working in Emergency Departments. She was devoted to her family, taking diligent care of her husband, children, and grandchildren. She remembered fondly and greatly missed. To see more about Gail. |
This photo was sent in by his father Coit Smith.
~ 5/27/1982 - 3/26/2005 ~
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Donald Wilcher Smith, 23Donald was killed in March 2005 while working for Sanderson Farms in Bryan, Texas. He died when he was electrocuted.
Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed a $31,000.00 penalty for seven serious violations. In an informal settlement the penalty was reduced to $5,000.00 for one serious violation. Inspection: 307951350 - Sanderson Farms Inc, Processing Division Mourning father's calling is making workplaces safe. Son electrocuted one year ago at Sanderson Farms. Donald Coit Smith says he has been on a mission to toughen workplace safety laws since the electrocution death of his son, Donald Wilcher Smith, one year ago. By Craig Kapitan Eagle Staff Writer The Bryan-College Station Eagle. |
This photo was sent in by Irene Giles.
~ 4/19/1971 - 4/27/2006 ~
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Andreas H. Vionis, 35Andreas was killed in April 2006 while working for KMC Oiltools/Helmerich in Newton County, Texas. He was electrocuted.
Federal OSHA investigated the incident and proposed $0.00 penalties and no citations. Inspection: 308591965 - Kmc Oiltools, Inc. To see more about Andreas |
