Local News
Victims Identified in Fatal Scaffolding Collapse at Port Arthur LNG Site in Sabine Pass
SABINE PASS, Texas — Three construction workers lost their lives and two others sustained injuries following a scaffolding collapse early Tuesday morning at the Port Arthur LNG construction site in Sabine Pass.
Officials have identified the deceased workers as Reggie McGee, Felix Lopez and Felipe Mendez.
The incident occurred at approximately 2:00 a.m. on April 29 at the large-scale industrial site operated by Bechtel, the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for the project.
Sempra Infrastructure, one of the developers behind the LNG facility, confirmed the incident in a statement and noted that an immediate work stoppage was implemented across the site.
According to Bechtel, the collapse involved a “tank jump form system” at elevation.
The failure led to multiple workers falling, with two pronounced dead at the scene.
A third worker, a 41-year-old man from Houston, suffered cardiac arrest and later died at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, according to Jefferson County Precinct One Justice of the Peace Ben Collins Sr.
Two additional workers were injured in the collapse but have since been treated and released from the hospital, Sempra Infrastructure confirmed.
Captain Crystal Holmes of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office stated that a failure within the scaffolding system caused the workers to fall.
She confirmed that only three individuals fell to the ground. It remains unclear whether the workers were wearing fall protection gear at the time of the incident.
A visual assessment of the site from Texas Highway 82 revealed a concrete tank surrounded by three levels of scaffolding.
A section estimated to be between 8 to 12 feet in length from each level appeared to have detached and now hangs at a 45-degree angle.
Nearby, a rigging strap remains loosely affixed to the hook block of a tower crane, swaying in the wind—a detail investigators are examining for its possible role in the collapse.
Authorities are exploring whether a falling load may have struck the scaffolding or if the incident stemmed from a rigging or structural failure.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a formal investigation, which will include a comprehensive review of the equipment, site procedures, and any potential violations. The results will be released upon completion of the investigation.
Bechtel and Sempra Infrastructure have both issued statements expressing condolences to the families of the victims and affirming their commitment to the safety and wellbeing of all personnel. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” said a Bechtel spokesperson. “Our thoughts are with the families and our colleagues who have been affected.”
“All work at the site was immediately halted, and craft professionals were sent home to be with their families during this difficult time,” Bechtel added. Sempra echoed that work will remain suspended while the incident is under investigation.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation in coordination with Bechtel and relevant regulatory agencies. Captain Holmes noted that the investigative process would be “slow and methodical” to ensure all factors contributing to the collapse are fully understood.
Port Arthur LNG is a joint venture between Sempra Infrastructure and ConocoPhillips.
Construction at the site has been ongoing for several years as part of a broader effort to expand U.S. liquefied natural gas export capacity.
Bechtel emphasized that their top priority remains supporting the impacted families and ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to understand the cause of the incident and prevent future tragedies.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.