Wall Collapses On Construction Worker In Wake County

Witnesses said around 10:15 a.m., they saw a 1,000-pound wall on Tower View Drive collapsing and workers running from the scene. The wall was part of a sports complex called Impact Athletics being built in Morrisville.

"The ground under us literally shook. We looked over and the wall just came pounding down and we saw all the workers scrambling," witness Janet Rapp said. "There was a cloud of smoke that you couldn't even see in front of your own face. Even in the parking lot, we could not see."

Morrisville fire officials said workers were setting a new wall when the one beside it gave way. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Authorities said Geremias Lopez was killed in the accident. No one else was injured in the accident.

A representative with Cary-based Oaks Construction, who is the lead construction agency on the job site, said the company has never had a fatality on a construction site. Officials said Lopez worked for Citadel Construction. WRAL has not been able to reach them for comment.

Officials with the state Labor Department and a representative from the construction site are sorting out the details of the incident.