Hickman, CA – On Friday afternoon, September 18, 2026, a trench collapse resulted in the death of Pablo Gomez, 34, at a worksite in the Hickman area of Stanislaus County, according to FOX40.
The Modesto Fire Department and Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District said the trench collapsed while crews were working, trapping Gomez underground. A 30-person rescue team responded and recovered him, but he was found dead. The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Division formally identified him.
Gomez was remembered by the Modesto City Football Club, where he played goalkeeper during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, as a beloved member of the club’s family. The team extended condolences to his relatives in a statement, calling his death a very sad day for the club and the Modesto community.
A GoFundMe has been established to help cover funeral costs for Gomez.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is investigating the cause and circumstances of the collapse. This incident follows a separate trench collapse in August that killed two workers at a Stockton construction site.
Stanislaus County Workplace Accidents and Wrongful Death Claims
California law requires employers and construction site operators to follow strict trenching and excavation safety standards, including proper shoring, sloping, or shielding of trenches deeper than five feet to prevent collapse. When a trench collapse results in a worker’s death, Cal/OSHA investigators examine whether the site was in compliance with these safety standards and whether any party’s negligence contributed to the collapse.
Because this is the second fatal trench collapse in the region within a matter of weeks, investigators and any resulting civil claims may also examine whether the excavation companies involved in each incident share common safety practices, equipment, or oversight that could point to a broader pattern of noncompliance. Gomez’s family may have the right to pursue a workers compensation claim, which can provide compensation for funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and other damages related to the fatal accident.
Stanislaus County 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.
