Worker crushed to death at a Jeep plant, authorities say

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG/Gray News) - A person is dead after an incident at the Jeep complex in Ohio.

Police confirmed the death Wednesday afternoon, but officials weren’t able to identify the victim by name yet. Officials with Toledo Fire and Rescue said the worker was crushed.

Additional circumstances surrounding the death are unconfirmed at this time, but workers at the assembly complex said it happened where Jeep Gladiators are made.

A spokesperson for Stellantis, Jeep’s parent company, said they are aware of an incident involving one of its employees, but couldn’t provide additional details while the investigation continues.

A statement from the U.S. Department of Labor said the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has compliance officers on site to investigate. They won’t be releasing any additional information until the investigation is complete, which could take up to six months to do so.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials have conducted two inspections at the Toledo site since Stellantis acquired the Jeep brand. A 2023 inspection resulted in a serious violation related to fall protection measures, a representative of the labor department said.

United States Rep. for Ohio Marcy Kaptur released a statement on the incident, which said, in part, “My thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the family, friends, and union brothers and sisters of the auto worker who tragically lost his life today in a workplace accident at Toledo Jeep. Last fall on the picket line many workers shared their concerns about worker safety on the job. I urge federal authorities from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Stellantis as well as its suppliers to exhaust every resource necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the brave men and women who go to work in those facilities each day.”

Copyright 2024 WTVG via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.