On August 10, 2023, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Lake County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the 24800 block of North Milwaukee Avenue, unincorporated Vernon Hills, for a report of a person down.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived and located a 53-year-old man of unincorporated Libertyville with crush-type injuries.  The man was located underneath a trailer ramp used to onload and offload heavy equipment, deceased.  

Preliminary investigation shows the man arrived at the property earlier in the day to remove a Komatsu Excavator from a trailer, so the trailer could be taken to a worksite.  After offloading the excavator, the man likely used the bucket on the excavator and chains to raise the trailer ramps, which weigh approximately 300 pounds each.  While walking to latch the ramps to the trailer, the chain likely slipped, causing the chain to free from the ramps.  The ramps fell, one of them landing on top of the man, likely crushing his torso.  

The Lake County Coroner’s Office responded, and an autopsy is being conducted.  

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was notified of the incident.  

Although foul play does not appear to be a factor, sheriff’s detectives are investigating.