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Community Rallies After Arizona Trench Collapse Death as Safety Probe Moves Forward

An ADOSH review will determine if required trench protections failed at the Goodyear site.

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Overview

  • On July 28, 44-year-old Ronald Andrew Baquera Jr. was buried under six to seven feet of collapsing dirt at a Goodyear construction trench, and unstable soil and nearby gas lines forced crews to shift from rescue to recovery within 30 minutes.
  • Firefighters, police and Southwest Gas teams worked through the night with specialized equipment and recovered Baquera’s body around 2 a.m. on July 29 after a nearly 13-hour operation.
  • The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health and the Industrial Commission of Arizona opened a joint inquiry into possible safety violations at the site, with a final report expected in four to five months.
  • Friends and neighbors held an August 1 vigil to honor Baquera’s memory, and his family remains in mourning with loved ones describing him as a devoted father and loyal friend.
  • A GoFundMe campaign launched for funeral and memorial expenses has raised over $25,000 toward a $30,000 goal, reflecting strong community support for his surviving children.