Minneapolis scrap yard death underscores dangers of semi trucks

Accidents involving semi trucks – like the one that resulted in the death of a man in a Minneapolis scrap yard – happen daily across the United States.

Statistics show that there are more than 400,000 semi truck crashes annually in the U.S. According to the Truck Safety Coalition, there were 841 truck occupant fatalities in 2017 – an increase of 69 percent since 2009.

(The Truck Safety Coalition (TSC) is a partnership between The Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways (CRASH) Foundation, and Parents Against Tired Truckers (PATT). The TSC website states that the organization “is dedicated to reducing the number of deaths and injuries caused by truck-related crashes, providing compassionate support to truck crash survivors and families of truck crash victims, and educating the public, policy-makers and media about truck safety issues.”)

A man died April 25 after being run over by a semi truck in a Minneapolis scrap yard, Re-Alliance.

Minneapolis scrap yard:
Man killed by semi truck

Highway accidents are the most common headline-making events involving semi trucks, but they aren’t the only ones. What follows is the report of a man who died April 25 after being run over by a semi truck at a scrap yard just north of downtown Minneapolis:

John Elder, a spokesperson for the Minneapolis Police Department, said the crash occurred at about 9:20 a.m. in the scrap yard of Re-Alliance, a business that purchases and resells used scrap metal. The Minneapolis scrap yard is located on the 1500 block of North 2nd Street.

Elder said the driver of the semi truck was backing up in the scrap yard when the semi truck ran over the victim, who was believed to be a customer, not an employee.

The victim was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he died from his injuries.

Minneapolis scrap yard:
“A tragedy”

“This is a tragedy. This is very sad,” Elder said. “An individual was just operating a truck – no indication that it was carelessly, at least at this point. Another individual was just here for business and work reasons, and tonight they will not be going home.”

Said a witness: “They’re pulling in or pulling out with their trucks … and I’ve seen a few minor accidents actually in a scrap yard.”

A spokesperson for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said there is nothing on record for Re-Alliance, meaning that there have been no complaints made against the company. Additionally, there are warning signs all around the scrap yard that there is some danger.

“I usually stay right by my truck, so I know,” the witness said. “But if somebody happens to wander off or they start BS-ing with someone else, ya know, start wandering off, they’re not paying attention, ya know, they’re gonna get hit or hurt.”

“All I can do is pray for the guy and ya know, his family that he’s going to be OK.”

Minneapolis scrap yard:
“Good company”

“I hate that it happened to them because they are a good company,” Robert Starr, a customer, said. “Re-Alliance is a good company.”

Starr said he regularly sells scrap metal to Re-Alliance.

“It’s two parts so you can go over here where the sheet metal is and the two feet is over on the other side,” Starr said. “Real safe. Real safe. Pretty nice owner and everything.”

“It’s a tragedy, something like this to happen, but it happens and I’m sorry for the loss to the family.”

Minneapolis scrap yard:
Investigation ongoing

The driver of the semi truck remained at the Minneapolis scrap yard, and police said he and employees fully cooperated with investigators.

The Minneapolis Police Department and the Minnesota State Patrol are investigating the crash.