Victims in fatal Charlotte scaffolding collapse identified as investigations continue
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Charlotte Scaffolding Collapse
On Jan. 2, 2023, scaffolding collapsed at a construction site in Charlotte, killing three workers.
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Local and state agencies continued on Tuesday to investigate what led to a fatal scaffolding collapse at a Charlotte construction site Monday.
The incident killed three construction workers when they fell about 70 feet. It also shut down work at the Morehead Street site, where a residential building was going up. Two other workers were injured.
The three people who died have been identified publicly by their families: Jose Canaca, Gilberto Monico Fernández and Jesus “Chuy” Olivares. As the investigation continues, the victims’ families are launching fundraisers to help cover their funeral expenses.
It could take weeks or months for investigators to release their findings on the collapse.
The case also has brought attention to the risks construction workers face on the job and the oversight of their workplaces. At least 16 people have died in scaffolding accidents in the state in the last 10 years, a Charlotte Observer analysis of Occupational Safety and Health Administration records found.
CMPD, state probe construction deaths
Charlotte Fire handed off the investigation into the collapse Monday to both the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the state Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Division, the department said previously.
CMPD confirmed the incident location of Monday’s collapse was 711 E. Morehead St., near uptown Charlotte and Dilworth.
The OSH Division sent compliance officers to the scene of Monday’s collapse to investigate, Labor Department spokeswoman Erin Wilson told the Observer on Tuesday. The agency won’t share details about the accident until its investigation is complete.
Investigations into falls from scaffolding “can take anywhere from a few weeks to six months, depending on the complexity of the accident,” the Labor Department has said.
OSH investigations typically include visits to the site of the incident and interviews with employees, witnesses and management. The scope of the investigation “will usually be limited to the events surrounding the accident unless observations at the site indicate a broader investigation is needed.”
The agency had not previously inspected the construction site, Wilson said.
About the scaffolding project
Lithko Contracting, LLC — an Ohio-based company with an office in Concord — lists an ongoing “multi-family housing” project at the accident address site on its website.
The project is intended to have 17 floors of “cast-in-place concrete frame,” Lithko’s project description says, including four levels of parking and a 13-level residential tower.
Lithko did not return requests for comment Tuesday.
Lithko lists Texas-based Hanover Company as the customer and owner for the E. Morehead Street project. Hanover also did not respond to requests for comment from The Charlotte Observer.
In October 2020, Hanover won Charlotte City Council approval to rezone the property to a mixed-use site. The project called for up to 350 apartments with a maximum building height of 170 feet, according to city documents.
The private real estate company develops apartment and mixed-use projects in several states including Texas, Arizona, California, Colorado, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, among others.
Wilson said Hanover “made the decision to stop construction activities to aid in the investigative process and will remain inactive until further notice.”
The men who died worked for Friends Masonry Construction LLC, according to Wilson. The company has addresses in Matthews and Charlotte, according to the NC Secretary of State website. A voicemail left at the Friends Masonry office was not immediately returned Tuesday afternoon.
Fundraisers launched for victims
The families of the dead workers have started fundraisers to help cover their funeral expenses.
Canaca’s family wrote on GoFundMe that the 26-year-old was a hard worker and asked the community to pray for the affected families and those who were injured.
In addition to his work, Canaca also was part of Charlotte’s skateboarding community, his friend Juan Donado told Observer news partner WSOC.
“He was so genuine, loving, goofy,” Donado said. “He made everyone laugh. Great, energetic guy, and I’ll always remember him as that.”
Fernández was a big-hearted man, his family wrote alongside their fundraiser. The native of Veracruz, Mexico, was, they said, known as a friend always willing to lend a hand.
At the time of his death, his family told WSOC, he was just two weeks from retirement.
Hola News and WCNC both identified the third victim as Jesús “Chuy” Olivares Martínez.
On GoFundMe, Olivares’ family said he is survived by his wife and four children “who idolized him.”
Observer reporters Gordon Rago, Ames Alexander and Gavin Off contributed to this story.
This story was originally published January 3, 2023 at 4:17 PM with the headline "Victims in fatal Charlotte scaffolding collapse identified as investigations continue."
