Elevator Shaft Death In Joliet: Coroner IDs Young Worker Who Perished

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department announced that a 23-year-old worker died on Tuesday after falling down an elevator shaft at an old industrial building on the city's east side at 225 Maple St. Will County Coroner Laurie Summers announced that Agustin Martinez-Gallegos was the young man who died in the work-related incident.

She said Joliet police and OSHA are handling the investigation into Martinez's death.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, the young man died at Silver Cross Hospital after being rushed there by a Joliet Fire Department ambulance. The tragedy happened around 3:40 p.m.

According to English, Joliet police responded to the warehouse building for a report that someone was injured after falling into an elevator shaft. Officers found the unresponsive 23-year-old man and rendered medical assistance until the Joliet Fire Department paramedics arrived.

The 23-year-old was on the second floor of the building, assisting other employees carrying cabinets from the elevator, at which time the elevator began rising to a higher floor while the elevator door remained open, blocked by the cabinets.

Police believe he attempted to escape from the rising elevator and became caught between the elevator floor and the second-floor ceiling before falling into the elevator shaft.

According to English, the man was taken to Silver Cross Hospital by the Joliet Fire Department, where he was pronounced dead.

The death is believed to be accidental in nature, as Joliet police said they found no signs of foul play.

On Thursday, Joliet police issued a follow-up item indicating: "While the address is correct, it has been since learned that Joliet Equipment Corporation has not been affiliated with this address for many years and has NO association with this incident. This company was still listed in our records system and will be updated."