BILLINGS, MONTANA
The man who died Tuesday night at the Knife River industrial site in Billings has been identified as Justin Cruea of Laurel.
Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder said that Cruea was 28 years old.
In a press release, Linder said that Cruea, an employee for the contractor, was apparently working on a truck when he fell between the bumper and a tire.
His position after the fall likely made it difficult for him to breathe, and the preliminary cause of death is positional asphyxia, Linder said.
A medical examiner is awaiting test results to determine if any other factors are involved, and Linder said investigators found no evidence of foul play.
Tony Spilde, senior public relations representative for Knife River, said Cruea was changing a wiper blade on the truck when the accident happened, and it is a tragic loss for the company.
He said Cruea was changing a wiper blade on a company truck, and was sitting up against the side of the truck when he was discovered by his coworkers.
"There were no immediate signs of a fall, trauma or being trapped against the vehicle, and authorities continue to investigate," Spilde said in a press release.
The federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration has requested copies of the investigation into the incident, which likely means the agency is starting its own investigation, according to Linder.
The Montana Department of Labor & Industry referred questions to OSHA, and MTN has tried to contact the federal agency.
In a Facebook post, Cruea's sister-in-law, Charity Watkins, wrote that Cruea left behind a wife, Tabitha, a 3-year-old son, Colt, and two foster children.
"Justin supported and loved his family more than anything, taking care of his wife and children always came first," she wrote.
Cruea's family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs.
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Knife River issues statement on employee death at Billings West End facility
November 22, 2017
By Q2 News
Following the death of an employee at one of its facilities Tuesday night, Knife River released a statement Wednesday morning.
Tony Spilde, senior public relations representative for Knife River said it is a tragic loss for the company.
He said the team member was changing a wiper blade on a company truck, and was sitting up against the side of the truck when he was discovered by his coworkers.
"There were no immediate signs of a fall, trauma or being trapped against the vehicle, and authorities continue to investigate," Spilde said in a statement.
Out of respect for the man's family and the investigation, Spilde said the employee's name will not be released at this time, but did ask the public to think about the man's family during this terrible time.
Deputies with the Yellowstone County Sheriff's Office responded to an emergency call Tuesday around 5:20 p.m. at the Knife River facility on Hesper Road.
An ambulance was called, but Sheriff Mike Linder said he was unsure if the man died at the scene or at the hospital.
Knife River is one of the area's largest contractors.
Knife River is a Top 10 aggregate producer in the United States.
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BILLINGS, MT - A man is dead following an accident at Knife River on Billings West End, Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder said Tuesday night.
Police responded to a 911 call about 5:20 p.m. that a man was injured on Hesper Road at Knife River, one of the area's largest contractors. An ambulance was called, but Linder said he was uncertain if the man died at the scene or at the hospital.
An investigation is continuing into the incident, and a deputy coroner was en route Tuesday night, Linder said. Q2 has sent a message seeking comment to Bismarck, N.D.-based Knife River and is awaiting a response.