CHINA, TX (October 27, 2025) — Authorities identified 68-year-old Guillermo Contreras of Liberty as the man who died Monday morning in an industrial accident involving an 18-wheeler trailer at an oilfield site in China, Texas.
Accident Details: According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to East Vera Avenue for reports of a worker struck by a trailer. Investigators said Contreras was run over by the trailer of an 18-wheeler operating within the oilfield area. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Justin Chesson.
Captain Crystal Holmes confirmed that the location was an oilfield work site and not a commercial business. Emergency personnel and investigators remained on-site for several hours as they examined vehicle positioning and collected statements from witnesses.
The sheriff’s office said the driver of the truck remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities. No further details have been released regarding the events leading up to the incident.
Investigation: The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA’s involvement indicates that workplace safety standards and equipment procedures will be reviewed to determine whether compliance issues contributed to the fatality.
Investigators are expected to analyze worksite safety protocols, visibility around operating vehicles, and communication between personnel. The report will also assess whether the truck and trailer were being operated according to site regulations at the time of the accident.
Worksite incidents involving heavy machinery and large trucks can involve complex coordination among multiple contractors. OSHA’s review will help clarify if preventive measures or training deficiencies were factors.
Legal Considerations: Fatal workplace incidents involving commercial trucks or heavy equipment may raise questions about employer responsibility, site safety management, and vehicle operation standards. In these cases, federal and state investigators assess whether negligence, improper supervision, or mechanical failure played a role.
Families affected by industrial fatalities may seek compensation through workers’ compensation claims and, in some cases, civil actions if safety violations are found. OSHA’s findings often serve as a key reference in determining liability and shaping future workplace safety measures.
Guillermo Contreras’s passing has brought deep sadness to his community and those who worked alongside him. Friends and colleagues described him as a hardworking man whose dedication and reliability left a lasting mark on those who knew him.
Source: 12News Now