Tragic Trench Collapse Leads to Worker Fatality in Goodyear

Goodyear, Arizona, July 30, 2025

News Summary

A worker tragically lost his life after becoming trapped in a trench during a construction site incident in Goodyear. Emergency responders quickly arrived but faced challenges due to unstable ground conditions. The victim, Ronald Andrew Baquera Jr., was buried under dirt after the trench collapsed. Recovery efforts continued through the night, revealing the dangers associated with excavation work. An investigation by the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health is set to begin, stressing the importance of safety protocols in the construction industry.

Goodyear, Arizona witnessed a tragic incident on July 29, when a worker died after becoming trapped in a trench at a construction site. This incident occurred on July 28 at approximately 1:10 p.m. near the intersection of 183rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road.

Emergency responders from the Goodyear Fire Department arrived at the scene within six minutes of receiving the call. The victim, identified as Ronald Andrew Baquera Jr., 44, was buried beneath a significant amount of dirt when the trench collapsed. Rescuers faced numerous challenges during initial recovery efforts, including unstable ground conditions and the presence of sensitive underground infrastructure, such as utility gas lines.

Witnesses reported that fellow workers attempted to rescue Baquera before official emergency services arrived. However, as the trench continued to collapse, rescuers were forced to adopt a more careful and structured recovery approach after roughly 30 minutes. Police cordoned off the area as recovery operations extended through the night and beyond.

Baquera’s body was ultimately recovered around 2 a.m. on July 29, after a effort that lasted over 12 hours. Following the incident, the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) announced that it would investigate the circumstances surrounding the trench collapse. The results of this investigation are expected to take four to five months to be completed and publicly disclosed.

In the wake of the tragedy, the Goodyear Fire and Police Departments expressed condolences to Baquera’s family, friends, and coworkers. Family members shared their shock and grief, particularly his mother of two children, who highlighted Baquera’s love for family-oriented activities. An industry safety expert noted that adherence to proper training and the use of shoring equipment might have prevented the mishap.

Since 2019, at least three individuals have lost their lives in construction-related trench collapses throughout Arizona. Rubicon Companies, involved in assisting recovery efforts, clarified that Baquera was not an employee of their organization or any subcontractors. The construction site where the incident occurred is part of a neighborhood development featuring new single-family homes.

This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks in construction work, particularly in excavation tasks where proper safety protocols are essential for worker protection.

FAQs

Key Features of the Incident

Feature	Details
Date of Incident	July 28, 2023
Location	Construction Site near 183rd Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road, Goodyear, Arizona
Victim	Ronald Andrew Baquera Jr., 44 years old
Response Time	Six minutes
Duration of Recovery Operation	Over 12 hours
Investigating Agency	Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH)

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Additional Resources

• AZCentral: Goodyear Construction Worker Dies
• ABC15: Recovery Efforts at Goodyear Construction Site
• 12 News: Goodyear Construction Worker Identified
• ABC15: AM Roundup on Goodyear Trench Collapse
• Wikipedia: Construction Accidents
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Construction