A tragic accident at a construction site in Goodyear, Arizona, has left a family mourning the loss of Ronald Andrew Baquera Jr., a father of three who died after being buried under dirt in an open trench.
On Monday, July 28, emergency crews were dispatched to the construction site near Citrus and Lower Buckeye Roads in Goodyear, about 20 miles west of Phoenix. When first responders arrived at the scene around 1 p.m., they found Baquera, 44, trapped about six feet underground. Fire, police, and Southwest Gas workers worked together in a desperate attempt to rescue him.
Ruben Real, a spokesperson for the Goodyear Fire Department, told ABC 15 that while crews began digging Baquera out, the situation quickly became more dangerous. As dirt was removed, more dirt continued to collapse into the trench, making the rescue even more challenging. Goodyear Police Deputy Chief Jose Gonzalez spoke to the emotional toll, stating, “No one goes to work expecting not to come home that night.”
Complicating the rescue was the proximity of the trench to nearby gas lines, which slowed the operation further. Eventually, the rescue effort was transitioned to a recovery operation. Despite continuous efforts throughout the night, Baquera’s body was recovered at around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, July 29.
Baquera’s family and friends have been devastated by the loss. Melissa Prado, the mother of two of Baquera’s children, spoke to ABC 15 about the profound effect his death has had on their children. “My daughter is really torn up. She spends almost every day with him. She’s a little distraught, and my son’s angry,” Prado said. “They’re not really coping too well.”
Baquera’s childhood friend, Nate Costly, organized a vigil to honor the loving father. More than 80 people attended the event on Friday, August 1, to remember Baquera as a “loving father and a loyal friend.” Costly described him as “brutally honest, endlessly caring, and unforgettable,” and shared that Baquera’s memory would be cherished by those who knew him.
Renisha Williams, a close family friend, also remembered Baquera as someone who always put others first. “He was always ready to lend a helping hand,” she said, recalling how he lived to help others.
The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) has launched an investigation into the incident to determine whether safety violations were present at the construction site. ADOSH has not named the company employing the workers and said it would take four to five months for the full safety report to be completed. Once the report is finished, ADOSH will recommend any necessary citations or penalties.
Prado, while still grieving, expressed uncertainty about what exactly led to the accident. “I’m sure it will come out,” she said, adding, “But I don’t care to know right now.”
Baquera leaves behind his two sons and a daughter, and his community will continue to mourn the loss of a hardworking and caring individual who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
