HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. — Dereck Carrero, a 22-year-old Hope Mills resident, died Dec. 4 in a workplace accident at the Food Lion distribution center in Dunn after another employee struck him with a high-reach forklift.
The forklift hit Carrero as he was walking down an aisle and selecting items for an order, according to the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office.
An ambulance first transported Carrero to Betsy Johnson Hospital with a severe head injury. He was later taken to WakeMed, where he was on life support and sadly passed away on Dec. 6.
Located at 2940 Arrowhead Rd, Dunn, NC 28334, the distribution center is owned by Aholkd Delhaize USA (ADUSA). In a statement, the large distribution company said it is investigating the incident and cooperating with other investigating agencies, according to a local news report.
No further details about the accident or ongoing investigations have been released.
Commentary on the death of Dereck Carrero at the Food Lion distribution center in Dunn, North Carolina
I am deeply saddened to learn of another fatal workplace accident that took the life of a young man. I am disheartened that we are still plagued with these senseless deaths.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was formed in 1971 by the Federal Government to combat the rise in workplace injuries and death. Since that time, technological advancement coupled with government regulation have helped mitigate workplace accidents across the United States. However, no technology or regulatory scheme can prevent corporations from putting profits over people. The details of this report do not indicate what caused the forklift driver to strike Mr. Carrero. However, forklifts do not strike another person unless something went wrong.
Corporations have a duty to every employee to provide a workplace free of serious risk of death or injury. Failure to comply with this duty puts the lives of every employee in danger and often leads to accidents such as this one. A detailed investigation must be conducted to determine whether faulty machinery, user error, or lack of company oversight led to this tragic death.
I extend my condolences to Mr. Carrero’s family during this difficult time of grief and mourning.
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