18-year-old worker killed in forklift accident at SC distribution center, coroner says
An 18-year-old worker was using a forklift when he was killed on the job in South Carolina, officials said.
Leobardo Garcia died of blunt-force trauma after he was hit in the head at a distribution center, the Greenville County Coroner’s Office said in a news release.
Officials said Garcia was operating a forklift on Feb. 4 when it hit an overhead door, which then fell onto him. The 18-year-old Fountain Inn resident died at the scene.
The incident happened at an ADUSA Distribution center in Mauldin, southeast of Greenville, WYFF reported
ADUSA Distribution is a company that serves Food Lion and other grocery brands, according to its website. When reached for comment, the company expressed condolences after it said there was a “tragic accident” at its Mauldin facility on Feb. 4.
“We deeply regret this accident occurred and our thoughts remain with his family during this difficult time,” the company told McClatchy News in an emailed statement. “ADUSA Distribution continues to investigate the incident and is cooperating with other investigative authorities. Because the situation remains under investigation and out of respect for the family, we have no additional details to share at this time.”
The coroner’s office said Garcia’s death was considered accidental.
It’s not the first time a death has been reported after an incident at a ADUSA Distribution site.
In December, deputies said a 22-year-old employee died after a co-worker hit him with a forklift at a North Carolina facility. The state’s labor department was investigating, McClatchy News reported.
This story was originally published February 7, 2022 at 1:27 PM with the headline "18-year-old worker killed in forklift accident at SC distribution center, coroner says."
