2 C
New York

Workers open door to find trucker crushed “moments” after guiding second driver into loading dock, police say

Published:

A truck driver is dead after an accident at a bottling plant crushed him against a loading dock door on Thursday evening.

The accident happened just before 6:40 p.m. on January 23rd at the bottling plant in the 1700 block of 8th Street in Seguin, Texas.

According to The Seguin Gazette, a plant employee told a trucker to back into a loading dock and gave him the green light. The employee then instructed the driver to reposition the trailer and wait for further instructions.

“Tragically, employees opening the loading dock door moments later discovered Vargas pinned behind the trailer and immediately instructed the driver to move the vehicle to free him,” said Stephanie Larrimore, Seguin Police Department community engagement officer.

The driver of the truck that backed into the man then attempted to perform CPR on the injured driver. A police officer then arrived on the scene and took over the attempt at life saving measures.

“Despite these efforts, EMS pronounced [the man] deceased at the scene,” Larrimore said.

The deceased driver has been identified as 39-year-old Arlen Vargas from Houston, Texas. He was waiting at the plant to pick up a load at the time of the accident.

“He was out of his vehicle for unknown reasons. We don’t know why he was out of his vehicle, especially that close to the building,” Larrimore said. “We’re still investigating but ultimately it appears to be just an accident, a fatality accident.”

“The Seguin Police Department extends its condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr. Vargas during this difficult time.”

“We are deeply saddened to share that one of our trucking partners was involved in a terrible accident in the outside dock area of our Seguin, Texas, plant yesterday evening,” the Niagara Bottling plant wrote in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the individuals and families impacted by this accident, and we are working closely with the authorities as they conduct a thorough investigation.”

As of Friday, January 24th, no criminal charges have been filed. The incident is still under investigation.

This Week in Trucking

Videos