ST. JOSEPH, MO. — Multiple local reports confirmed that there was a traffic-related fatality that occurred at the Triumph Foods pork processing plant on Sept. 13.
A statement from the St. Joseph Police Department said that it received a call about an accident in the facility’s fenced-in area.
According to a report by the police, Aaron Ruelas was accidentally backed over by a “shag truck” that belonged to the company. Ruelas was driving a truck for Edward Transportation and picking up a semi-truck at the plant.
The driver of the shag truck was cooperative and provided the police with a breath sample and blood sample. The police said he showed no signs of intoxication and was not arrested.
“On Sept. 13, there was a traffic-related incident in our north trailer parking lot that sadly involved a fatality,” Triumph Foods said in a statement to MEAT+POULTRY. “We are thankful for the local emergency responders who were at the scene and continue to investigate this tragedy. Triumph Foods will continue to cooperate with local officials and OSHA — and since this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to share more information at this time.”