Coroner identifies construction worker killed in accident

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Emergency crews recovered a body after a construction accident in Jackson.

The incident occurred on Stonewall and Livingston Road in Jackson at the development site of The Village at Livingston.

Assistant Fire Chief Patrick Armon says he was first contacted about the accident around 5:45 p.m. but says it may have happened before then.

According to Cleotha Sanders, Division Fire Chief with the Jackson Fire Department, workers were doing dirt work and one of them became trapped 20 feet below ground.

Hinds County Coroner Sharon Grisham Stewart identified the worker as 33-year-old Matthew Miller.

“Right now, we want to offer our thoughts and prayers to the family of this individual and we also want to pray for our firefighters,” Cleotha stated.

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba released the following statement regarding Miller’s death:

“I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and work colleagues of Matthew Miller. Mr. Miller, a 33-year-old construction worker, died tragically at a work site here in Jackson Tuesday evening. We mourn all deaths that occur in Jackson, but it is particularly heartbreaking when someone dies while performing their job responsibilities. I want the Miller family to know myself and the City mourns his tragic death and will keep them in our prayers.”

Developers of the project also offered their condolences. “The developers’ thoughts and prayers are with the family of the young man who tragically lost his life in an unfortunate accident,” they wrote. “And we ask for God’s grace to comfort them and provide them strength at this difficult time.”

Police are interviewing the other two workers who were on the scene at the time of the incident.

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