Pablo Gomez Killed in Trench Collapse Near Hickman

Rescuers Worked Nearly Five Hours to Reach Pablo Gomez After a Trench Collapsed Near Hickman

HICKMAN, CALIFORNIA (October 28, 2026) – A 34-year-old excavation worker identified as Pablo Gomez was killed in a trench collapse near Hickman.

Stanislaus County officials are saying that the collapse was reported around 10:24 a.m. on Friday, September 18. Pablo Gomez was working with an excavation crew in a large trench about five miles east of Hickman, near Hickman and Lake roads, when the trench collapsed and trapped him, according to the Ceres Courier.

More than 30 firefighters from the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District, Modesto Fire, and Turlock Fire responded. Rescuers had to shore up the unstable trench walls to prevent a secondary cave-in, which stretched the effort to nearly five hours.

When crews reached him, Pablo Gomez was declared dead at the scene. Gomez, a Ceres resident and former goalkeeper for Modesto City Football Club, leaves behind his wife, Doris, two young daughters, and a son on the way.

A GoFundMe has been set up to support his family.

Trench and excavation collapses have taken several lives in the region this year. In April, a worker was killed in a tunnel collapse near Knights Ferry in Stanislaus County, and in August, two workers died in a trench collapse in Stockton.

Cal/OSHA is examining whether shoring or other protective systems were in place at the Hickman site. Families may want to know how deep the trench was, who served as the competent person responsible for inspecting it, and which company or property owner directed the work.

Liability for Hickman Trench Collapse Accidents

California workplace safety rules set clear requirements for trench work. Under Cal/OSHA’s excavation standard, every employee in an excavation must be protected from cave-ins by an adequate protective system unless the excavation is in stable rock or is less than 5 feet deep with no sign of a potential cave-in. Employers are generally covered by workers’ compensation when an employee is hurt on the job, but Labor Code section 3852 preserves the right to pursue claims against third parties, such as property owners, general contractors, or equipment suppliers. Those outside parties can face scrutiny when their own decisions contributed to unsafe conditions. Responsibility in trench collapses often turns on several factors:

• Protective Systems: Trenches 5 feet or deeper generally require shoring, sloping, benching, or a trench box to hold back soil.
• Competent Person: A trained person is expected to inspect excavations for hazards before work begins and as conditions change.
• Soil Conditions: Soil type, moisture, and nearby vibrations can affect how stable trench walls remain.
• Edge Loads: Excavated dirt and heavy equipment kept too close to the edge can add pressure that triggers a collapse.
• Site Control: General contractors and property owners who direct the work may share responsibility for safety decisions.

The California Supreme Court has addressed when an outside party can be held responsible for a construction worker’s death. In Hooker v. Department of Transportation, a 2002 decision, a crane operator working for a general contractor on a Caltrans overpass project was killed when his crane tipped over after he retracted its outriggers to let traffic pass. His widow received workers’ compensation benefits and sued Caltrans, arguing it negligently exercised safety control it had retained over the site. The court held that a hirer can be liable to a contractor’s employee when its exercise of retained control affirmatively contributed to the injury, though it found no such contribution in that case. The ruling shows why identifying who controlled safety decisions at a job site is often central to understanding responsibility for a fatal construction accident.

Why Trench Collapses Are So Deadly

Trench collapses can bury workers in seconds, often before they have any chance to escape. According to a CPWR data report published through the CDC, 77 construction workers died in excavation or trench cave-ins from 2011 to 2015, accounting for 40.7% of construction deaths caused by collapsing materials. The report recommends shoring, a trench box, or a shield for every excavation 5 feet deep or more, and an engineer-designed system for excavations deeper than 20 feet. Workers and employers can take practical steps to reduce the risk:

• Never Enter: Workers should not enter an unprotected trench 5 feet or deeper, even for a moment.
• Inspect Daily: Excavations should be checked by a competent person at the start of each shift and after rain or other changes.
• Safe Exits: Ladders, ramps, or other exits should be within easy reach of workers in deeper trenches.
• Keep Back: Dirt piles, tools, and equipment should be kept away from trench edges.
• Speak Up: Workers can report unsafe trench conditions to Cal/OSHA.

Trench deaths are among the most preventable tragedies in construction because proven protective systems are widely available. When those systems are missing or improperly used, workers can pay with their lives. Employers, general contractors, and property owners all play a role in making sure trench work is planned and supervised carefully. Families who lose a loved one in a trench collapse have the right to seek answers about what happened and to hold responsible parties accountable. Thorough investigations help protect the next crew that steps into an excavation.

Investigating Trench Collapse Accidents in Hickman

We at Feher Law offer our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Pablo Gomez. We hope the investigation into this collapse brings full accountability and leads to stronger safety practices that protect excavation crews across Stanislaus County. This tragedy raises serious concerns about trench safety on Central Valley job sites. Was a protective system in place to hold back the trench walls before Pablo Gomez went to work?

Have you or a loved one been affected by a trench collapse or construction accident in Hickman or elsewhere in Stanislaus County? Workers are protected by a number of statutes and have a right to perform their duties without risk of serious injury or harm from an unsafe environment. Our team of safety advocates and accident investigators can help you understand what happened, from Cal/OSHA inspection reports and soil records to witness accounts from the crew. If you need answers to legal questions or any other support, we’re here for you, and you can reach out to us anytime at (310) 340-1112.