Man fatally crushed beneath cattle fencing

MISSION — A worker at a farm supply store was fatally crushed beneath a spilled load of cattle fencing Wednesday afternoon.

Edcouch resident Eduardo Sonen, 48, died while he was working at Tractor Supply Co., 1501 W. Expressway 83, about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, said Mission Assistant Police Chief Martin Garza.

A worker was using a forklift to move some cattle panel fencing when the load fell toward Sonen, crushing his body atop a three-point hay buck, a tool used to move hay, Garza said.

Firefighters and paramedics were unable to resuscitate Sonen at the accident scene. Hidalgo County Justice of the Peace Luis Garza pronounced his death.

Foul play is not suspected in the incident, Garza said. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.

Detectives took statements from witnesses and employees and have obtained surveillance video of the area from the time of the accident. The forklift driver voluntarily provided a sample of his blood, which had no evidence of drugs or alcohol.

Police continue to investigate the accident.

____

Jared Taylor covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4439.