OSHA Investigating Fatal Stockton Construction Accident That Led to the Deaths of Raul Crisostomo and Don Raul Zepeda
STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA (August 10, 2026) – Two fathers and construction workers identified as Raul Crisostomo and Don Raul Zepeda have tragically died in a Stockton trench collapse accident.
Stockton officials are saying that the accident occurred around 5:15 AM on Saturday at a location on N. El Dorado Street. First responders were called to the scene after getting reports of two men who were trapped in a construction trench.
Authorities believe that the trench was roughly 10 feet deep before it eventually collapsed and trapped the victims. Firefighters were eventually able to extricate Raul Crisostomo and Don Raul Zepeda.
Unfortunately, both workers died due to the severe nature of their injuries. They were working on the drainage system at the time of the accident.
A full investigation into the tragic construction accident that killed Raul Crisostomo and Don Raul Zepeda remains ongoing at this time.
Liability for Stockton Trench Collapse Accidents
Employers in California have a legal obligation to maintain work sites in a reasonably safe condition, as required under California Labor Code § 6400. There are also specific safety requirements when any type of excavation work is being performed at a construction site. Pursuant to Cal/OSHA Title 8, § 1541.1, construction companies must take the following measures when any trench is more than 5 feet deep.
- Competent Person: Construction companies must ensure that a competent person oversees the development of any trench. Trenches should also be inspected every day before work is performed.
- Cave-In Protections: Protective systems must be installed that can resist without failure all of the loads that are going to be applied upon the trench.
- Safe Access and Exit: Trenches should have a stairway, ladder, or ramp that allows for safe access and exit.
- Weight: Construction companies must ensure that heavy equipment and other materials are placed at sufficient distances from the edge of any trench.
California trench collapse accidents are typically adjudicated under the workers’ compensation system. However, there could also be numerous sources of third-party liability for any trench collapse. Consider, for example, Elsner v. Uveges, 34 Cal.4th 915 (Cal. 2004). A roofer injured his ankle after falling from a temporary scaffold that was erected at a construction site. The California Supreme Court held that under Labor Code § 6304.5, Cal/OSHA can be used to establish a duty of care that must be upheld by private third parties at any construction site.
What To Do After A Trench Collapse In California
Trench collapses remain a major safety hazard for workers in the construction industry. According to one report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2024 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 18 workers died in 2024 involving trench collapse accidents. Of those 18 deaths, 13 occurred in the construction industry. Preventing these accidents requires that construction companies strictly adhere to OSHA safety standards. What follows are some of the measures that should be taken after any trench collapse accident.
- Soil Conditions: The soil conditions of the trench site should be carefully studied. A number of these accidents involve work that was being performed under improper soil conditions.
- Medical Records: All medical records related to a person’s injuries should be collected and preserved.
- OSHA Report: Any report created by OSHA should be carefully reviewed for workplace safety violations.
- Legal Review: The family of any person who died should carefully consider their legal options with a team experienced in construction accident claims.
Evaluating liability for any trench collapse requires considering a broad range of evidence. In many cases, there could be more than one liable party for any trench collapse accident. For the most part, these types of accidents are preventable and the result of one or more safety violations. The family of any person who died in a California trench collapse accident may be able to pursue some measure of justice through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating California Trench Collapse Accidents
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the families of Raul Crisostomo and Don Raul Zepeda. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to OSHA. There needs to be a thorough investigation into what went wrong so that other tragedies can be prevented. Important questions have yet to be answered. Who is responsible for overseeing safety at the site? Did the trench involved in the accident have adequate cave-in protections?
Do you need more information about a Stockton trench collapse accident? Our team of workers’ rights advocates is here for you. We are committed to helping people understand their rights and holding negligent companies accountable for their misconduct. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español.
