Francisco Nunez, 23, (Full Name: Francisco Rodriguez Nunez) Died in San Diego Truck Accident at Construction Site on Sunny Summit Drive
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA (September 15, 2025) – A 23-year-old construction worker identified as Francisco Nunez has tragically died in a San Diego truck accident at a work zone on Sunny Summit Drive.
San Diego County officials are saying that the accident took place at a construction zone north of Camino del Sur. Francisco Nunez stepped off a concrete truck and was hit by a trailer.
Paramedics and emergency responders were called to this scene to help the victim. He was transported to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido with critical injuries.
Despite life-saving measures at the hospital, Francisco Nunez was pronounced dead later that same day. The vehicle involved in the fatal accident was apparently being towed through the construction zone at the time of the incident.
A full investigation into the San Diego construction accident remains ongoing.
Liability for San Diego Construction Accidents
When a construction worker is injured in California, they or their surviving family members will typically have recourse through the workers’ compensation system. Workers’ compensation operates through a no-fault insurance plan. There is no need for an injured worker to demonstrate that one party was at fault to receive damages. In addition to workers’ compensation claims, injured workers and their family members may be able to pursue damages through a third-party liability claim. There could be numerous sources of third-party liability for any construction accident.
- General Contractors: A general contractor could be liable for a construction accident if they had oversight, control, or responsibility for the safety of workers at the site. For example, a general contractor may have failed to enforce safety measures for towing vehicles.
- Subcontractors: The company that owned or operated any work truck within a construction site could be liable for an accident if their driver acted negligently. Among other things, these drivers may have failed to check their blind spots for pedestrians. A lack of communication between workers can also lead to collisions.
- Equipment Manufacturers: In certain cases, the company that manufactured a piece of construction equipment could be liable for an accident if the vehicle had design defects that made certain collisions more likely.
Construction sites are typically made up of a blend of different contractors and subcontractors that all must work together on a common goal. These sites routinely use heavy equipment and large vehicles to transport goods. Strictly adhering to workplace safety regulations is essential for preventing accidents. There could be numerous liable parties for any accident where a worker is hit by a truck. It is important that all of these incidents are properly investigated by OSHA.
Preventing San Diego Construction Accidents
The construction industry has one of the highest accident rates across all work fields. Many of these accidents involve motor vehicle collisions in work zones. According to the National Safety Council, “In 2023, 898 people were killed and 40,170 people were injured in work zone crashes. Work zone crashes are defined as taking place within the boundaries of a work zone or on an approach to or exit from a work zone due to activities, behaviors, or controls related to traffic moving through the boundaries of a work zone.” It is essential that certain measures be taken to prevent construction zone accidents.
- Site Design: Construction sites must have clearly marked pathways for both workers and for vehicles such as trucks. This may necessitate setting up barriers or signs to keep pedestrians away from truck zones.
- Worker Visibility: Workers should be provided with high-visibility vests to make them more visible to trucks and heavy equipment operators. It is also important that work zones are properly lit, particularly when work continues into the night or early morning.
- Vehicle Safety: All of the vehicles used in construction zones should undergo pre-shift inspections. They should have backup alarms, proximity sensors, and cameras to give their drivers better visibility of pedestrians nearby.
- Training and Supervision: Drivers should be trained to be alert to the presence of pedestrians and to constantly check their blind spots. Workers should be trained to avoid standing or working in the blind spots of trucks.
The vast majority of construction site accidents are preventable. They tend to be the result of predictable safety lapses. This is especially common as construction companies race to complete projects quickly to save money. There is simply no excuse for this. Workers should never have to choose between staying safe and keeping their jobs. The family of any worker who died in a San Diego construction accident may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a civil action.
Investigating San Diego County Construction Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Francisco Nunez. Any person that may have more information should reach out to OSHA. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that similar tragedies can be prevented. Many questions remain unanswered at this time. Was there a traffic control plan in place to separate trucks and workers? Was the general contractor providing daily safety briefings? Did this construction site have a safety officer to monitor vehicle operations?
Do you need more information about a San Diego County construction accident? Our team of construction safety advocates is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected under the law. Whether you just have legal questions or would like a risk-free investigation into any particular accident, we are here to serve your needs. You are always welcome to reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244.
