Worker dies after being struck by forklift at Food Lion distribution center

A Hope Mills man who was struck by a forklift at a Food Lion distribution center in Dunn has died, authorities said Tuesday.

Posted 12:30 p.m. Dec 7, 2021 — Updated 4:37 p.m. Dec 7, 2021

DUNN, N.C. — A Hope Mills man who was struck by a forklift at a Food Lion distribution center in Dunn has died, authorities said Tuesday.

The Harnett County Sheriff's Office said Dereck Carrero was walking down an aisle on Saturday at the distribution center on Arrowhead Road in Dunn, selecting products for an order, when he was struck by a high-reach motorized forklift driven by another employee.

Carrero, 22, was hospitalized at WakeMed with a severe head injury but died Monday night, authorities said, adding that the incident appears to be an accident.

The state Department of Labor has been notified.

The facility is operated by ADUSA Distribution, which provides supply-chain services to area Food Lion stores.

In September, a driver was injured at the Valley Proteins plant in Fayetteville, where two workers were found unresponsive nearly two weeks before. According to a company spokesman, a crane turned over, and a driver was crushed. Weeks earlier, two employees were found unresponsive when they were exposed to hydrogen sulfide.

In April, a worker was electrocuted and two others were injured at Cashwell & Jones, near Mount Olive. The company was fined $9,000 for two serious violations, according to the state Department of Labor.

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