The Madison County Coroner’s office is investigating a work-related fatality that occurred at SIU-Edwardsville Thursday afternoon. The incident claimed the life of 47 year old Roger R. Kolweier of O’Fallon, IL.
Kolweier and a coworker were on Stadium Road off of New Poag Road in Edwardsville working on a frontage road on the SIUE campus. Kolweier had been driving a heavy piece of machinery with a roller attached. Preliminary information indicates that a portion of the road gave out causing the machine to flip. He attempted to jump from the machine but became pinned underneath at the bottom of a creek. An off-duty Illinois State Trooper and the trooper’s wife, a nurse, were flagged down by the co-worker to help. They began life sustaining efforts on him until Edwardsville Fire and EMS personnel arrived on scene but were unable to save him. Kolweier was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:45p.m.
The death is under investigation by the SIUE PD and representatives from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will also be investigating the accident.
