Fatal Tractor-Trailer Maintenance Incident in East Windsor

Incident overview
On January 6, 2026, a 69-year-old maintenance worker, identified as William Hastings of East Windsor, died in an industrial accident involving a tractor-trailer car carrier at a facility on North Road in East Windsor, Connecticut. Initial information indicates that the incident occurred while the worker was performing maintenance underneath the cab of the truck when it unexpectedly moved, trapping him beneath the vehicle.
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Location and facility details
The incident took place at an industrial/commercial location at 297 North Road in East Windsor, Hartford County, Connecticut, where tractor-trailer car carriers are maintained and operated. The work activity appears to have been conducted in an area where heavy vehicles are parked and serviced, involving a tractor-trailer configured as a car carrier.
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Incident sequence and response

• At approximately 6:45 p.m. on January 6, 2026, East Windsor police were dispatched to 297 North Road following a report of an unresponsive man trapped under a tractor-trailer car carrier.

• Responding officers located the victim lodged under the right side of the cab portion of the vehicle, between the dual wheels.

• Fire crews from Broad Brook Fire Department, Warehouse Point Fire Department, and Enfield Fire Department responded to assist with technical extrication from beneath the vehicle.

• After removal from under the truck, the victim was assessed by East Windsor EMS and pronounced dead at the scene.

• OSHA attended the site to commence a workplace safety investigation, while East Windsor police initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Casualties and evacuation

• Fatalities: One worker, a 69-year-old male identified as William Hastings of East Windsor, was fatally injured.

• Injuries: No additional injuries were reported among responders or other personnel at the scene.

• Evacuation: The report does not indicate the need for a broader facility evacuation, suggesting the incident was localized to the immediate work area around the tractor-trailer.

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Additional context
Preliminary findings suggest that the victim was performing maintenance beneath the truck cab when the vehicle rolled backward, resulting in him being trapped under the right side between the dual wheels. Authorities have stated there is no indication of criminal activity or foul play, and the case remains under active investigation by OSHA and local law enforcement. Members of the public or coworkers who witnessed the event or have additional information have been asked to contact the East Windsor Police Department (Officer Hacia) to support the ongoing investigation.
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Safety implications
This incident highlights several critical safety considerations for maintenance and servicing of heavy vehicles such as tractor-trailers:

• The need for rigorous lockout/tagout and vehicle immobilization procedures (e.g., wheel chocks, parking brakes, jack stands) before any work is carried out beneath or around a vehicle, especially near wheels and suspension components.​

• The importance of clear maintenance procedures, risk assessments, and supervision for under-vehicle work, particularly where there is a risk of unintentional vehicle movement or roll-back on even slight gradients.​

• The value of training workers and contractors on safe parking, securing vehicles, and verifying that all energy sources (movement, hydraulics, electrical) are controlled before entry into hazardous positions.​

• The need for periodic audits of maintenance practices, including checks on chocking, brake use, and adherence to written safe work procedures for vehicle servicing operations.