Federal workplace safety regulators are investigating the death of an HEB warehouse employee who police say was found in a freezer after a possible forklift accident, a report the local grocery giant has disputed.
Publicly available inspection records show that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) opened an investigation on the day of the incident, October 24. The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the investigation.
According to a preliminary police report, on the day of the accident, first responders rushed to an HEB distribution center in the 5000 block of Rittiman Road for a report of an injured employee.
Teresa Dominguez, 27, was possibly injured by a forklift and “was found unconscious in the freezer,” the report said. However, police said her injuries were “unclear and unconfirmed.”
Paramedics took Dominguez to the hospital, where she later died. According to the Bexar County Medical Examiner, she died of blunt force trauma to the left lower extremity and her death was accidental.
After news of Dominguez's death broke, HEB issued a statement saying that a “previous news report that said the partner was found unconscious in a freezer and had sustained injuries from a forklift is not accurate.”
Instead, HEB said, Dominguez was operating her forklift when she came to a stop. Then another worker noticed Dominguez showing “signs of distress,” the grocer said in a statement.
“Our HEB family is heartbroken and we are supporting and keeping in touch with the family during this difficult time. We also remain close to our partners,” HEB said. “We continue to work closely with officials regarding the situation.”
This article was originally published at OSHA, which is investigating the death of an HEB warehouse worker, said he was found unconscious in the freezer.