A dump truck driver was killed Friday after his vehicle overturned at a rock quarry in unincorporated Plainfield, trapping him inside the large truck before he could be freed. Authorities say the man was pronounced dead at the scene, and investigators have not disclosed what caused the truck to roll over.
The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Plainfield Fire Protection District was dispatched to the quarry at 22950 W. 119th Street after receiving a report of an industrial accident. Responders arriving at the scene found the driver trapped inside the overturned truck, according to fire officials. The Will County Sheriff's Office and the Mine Safety and Health Administration are both investigating the rollover.
Accounts of the exact time and location have varied slightly across outlets. According to ABC7 Chicago, the accident happened at about 4 p.m. at the quarry located at 22950 W. 119th Street, while 1340 WJOL reported the Plainfield Fire Protection District was dispatched at approximately 4:08 p.m. to a rock quarry in the 22900 block of W. 119th Street. Shaw Local separately placed the accident at about 4:08 p.m. in the 22000 block of West 119th Street.
Driver Identified After Initial Uncertainty
ABC7 Chicago initially reported that the driver's identity had not been released. Shaw Local later identified him as David E. Carpenter, 60, of Montgomery, citing the Will County Coroner's Office, which said he was pronounced dead at 8:05 p.m. at the quarry.
The Plainfield Fire Protection District said as of Saturday it had not yet been informed whether investigators had determined what caused the truck to overturn, per the Sun-Times report. Plainfield Emergency Management also provided portable lighting equipment to support operations at the scene and the ongoing investigation, according to 1340 WJOL.
Federal Mine Safety Agency Among Those Investigating
The involvement of the Mine Safety and Health Administration places the Plainfield case under the same federal oversight that applies to haul-truck accidents at mining and quarry operations nationwide. The agency has documented other fatal haul-truck rollovers in recent years, though none of those prior incidents have been linked to Friday's accident. No cause has been determined for the Plainfield rollover, and neither the quarry's operator nor the driver's employer has been identified in available reports.
