Stockton, CA – On Friday evening, August 8, 2026, a trench collapse resulted in the deaths of Raul Zepeda, 49, of Lodi, and Raul Cristostomo De La Cruz, 34, of Stockton, at a construction site, according to FOX40, with additional reporting from KCRA.
The Stockton Fire Department reports that the incident took place in the 7900 block of North El Dorado Street.
Authorities said the two men were seen entering the construction site Friday evening and had not been seen since. At about 5:15 PM Saturday, the Stockton Fire Department received a call about two people trapped in a trench at the site, after the sidewalk above the roughly 10-foot trench appeared to have collapsed. Crews recovered the bodies of both workers from the trench, and they were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Stockton Fire Department’s Erik Patten, it appears that when the men entered the trench, its sides collapsed on top of them, burying them under dirt and debris. The San Joaquin County Medical Examiner’s Office formally identified both men.
Cal/OSHA is leading an investigation into what caused the collapse, which will include interviews with responding firefighters as well as the site’s owners and any construction company involved. It remains unclear whether the men were hired independently or were working with a construction company.
The investigation remains ongoing.
California Workers’ Compensation Death Benefits
When a worker dies due to a job-related injury or illness, surviving family members may be eligible for workers’ compensation death benefits. These payments can help support spouses, children, or other financial dependents impacted by the loss.
California Workers Compensation Lawyer
While some jobs are riskier than others, one constant is the importance of workers’ compensation insurance. A California workers compensation lawyer can help families receive fair compensation after a loved one is the victim of a workplace injury.
