Robert David Halter of the Canton area was pronounced dead at Affinity Medical Center Monday morning after being pinned underneath the wheel of a semi while working at a construction site outside the Massillon Museum.
MASSILLON, OHIO
A man delivering equipment to a construction site at the Massillon Museum was killed Monday after being pinned under the wheel of a semi tractor-trailer.
The victim was identified by the Stark County Coroner’s Office as Robert David Halter, 76, of the Canton area.
According to Massillon police, Halter was loading or fastening chains onto the semitrailer when the driver pulled way, striking Halter.
Randy Spencer, president of Dunlop and Johnston, general contractor for the Massillon Museum’s $3.6 million expansion project, said Halter was delivering equipment to the construction site so that demolition of the Knox Building, also known as the Plaza Professional Building at 30 First St. SE, could begin.
Massillon Fire personnel responded at 8:27 a.m. Crews worked to free Halter who was trapped under the semi.
He was taken to Affinity Medical Center where he was pronounced dead about an hour later, said Harry Campbell, the coroner’s chief investigator. An autopsy will likely take place Tuesday, he said.
First Street SE was closed for much of the day while the incident was investigated. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration also was notified and was expected to look into the accident.
The museum’s expansion plan includes construction of a three-story building that will be accessible to the existing museum structure. It is expected to open next summer.
Workers began preparing the construction site earlier this month, including putting up a fence around the building.
Last week, several local companies were selected as subcontractors for the construction work.
Massillon Museum Executive Director Alexandra Nicholis Coon expressed sympathy to Halter’s family, and declined further comment.
The project’s main subcontractor’s include:
- M-Cor, of Massillon, demolition
- Dipietro Excavating, of East Canton, excavating
- Altimate Construction, of Sugarcreek, masonry
- RG Smith, of Canton, structural steel
- RT Hampton, of Massillon, HVAC/plumbing
- Stark Glass, of Massillon, glass/glazing
- Abbott Electric, of Canton, electrical