Workplace Negligence Ends in Man's Death

March 19, 2009

Boyle Heights, California - Andrew Guipanay Bagsiao, a local resident, was run over and killed by a forklift at the base of a steep hill near Biggy Avenue and Zonal Avenue.

Los Angeles Police Department Det. Felix Padilla said that the 86 year-old was walking near the former County-USC Medical Center when a forklift driven by a member of a crew working at the ambulance entrance crushed him to death.

Investigators said that a bin the driver was carrying may have obscured the victim’s view resulting in the gruesome accident.

The man was not immediately identified as the combined weight of the forklift and the container, totaling to an estimated 9,000 pounds, made it impossible to get any information about the victim.

LAPD has not arrested the driver but is currently investigating the accident as a possible homicide and charges could be filed.

The driver, who was clearly shaken, was not injured and was comforted and given reassurance by firefighters who first responded to the scene.

A passing member of the clergy also provided some consoling words to the forklift driver.