Fuyao worker death: 7 things to know about Dayton man’s fatal accident

It’s been nearly a week since the death of Fuyao Glass America Inc. forklift operator Ricky Patterson.

The 57-year-old Dayton man died at Moraine’s largest employer March 20 at the West Stroop Road plant after being crushed by more than a ton of glass, authorities said.

Based on information from police, the company, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and other authorities, here is what we know now:

RELATED: Police: Video shows how Fuyao worker was crushed by glass, forklift

•Fuyao video. Moraine police said the sequences before and after Patterson was crushed between a pallet of glass and his industrial machine were captured on company surveillance. Police reports indicate the video shows at least 13 minutes involving Patterson.

•911 calls. At least two emergency calls were made to Moraine police dispatchers minutes after Patterson's entrapment. One came from a co-worker who found him. Another came from company security.

RELATED: Fuyao vows to work closely with investigators after worker crushed

•Patterson died fewer than 18 minutes after being trapped. Fuyao video showed him being crushed by glass at 5:10 a.m. He was pronounced dead at 5:28 a.m.

•What the coroner and police said. Patterson died from blunt force trauma to the head and neck in what has been ruled an accident, according to the Montgomery County Coroner's Office. This ruling eliminates criminal acts, one of the main issues police investigate in workplace deaths, according to Moraine Sgt. Mike Keegan.

RELATED: Fuyao production ramps up, customer orders grow

•OSHA investigation. OSHA officials were at the plant the morning of the accident. They said they would not comment on the case until the investigation is complete.

•Fuyao's response. The Chinese automobile glass manufacturer issued a statement the morning of the accident. In part, it stated:

RELATED: Fuyao plant workers consider union

“We will be working closely alongside the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration as they investigate. Safety is the top priority at Fuyao and we are committed to providing a safe working environment for each of our valued employees.”

•Safety at Fuyao. Employees have repeated expressed concern about safety measures at the Moraine plant. Last year, Fuyao was fined $100,000 by OSHA for "serious" safety violations and is a site.

RELATED: Fuyao set to double hiring at Moraine plant

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