Contractor killed in industrial accident at St. Johns County development site, authorities say

ST. JOHNS, Fla. – A person was killed Thursday morning in an industrial accident at a construction site in the Silverleaf community of St. Johns County, authorities said.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office did not disclose the age or gender of the person, or how they died, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed the worker was an employee of Jacksonville-based J.B. Coxwell Contracting, the construction company working at the Silverleaf site.

We confirmed that OSHA is opening an investigation into, what it calls, a “tragic incident.”

A spokesperson said the Major Crimes Unit will be investigating the death, which was reported on Courtney Vista Drive, which runs east of Silverleaf Parkway, which is just off County Road 16A.

Officials did not say whether anyone is believed to be at fault.

Sky4 flew over the scene Thursday and spotted two large excavators on the property, along with other industrial construction equipment. It appeared one of those excavators had run over a person, who did not survive their injuries.

J.B. Coxwell Contracting, Inc. declined to comment.

News4JAX learned that records filed through OSHA show two reports for the contracting company last year, which appeared to be planned, surprise site inspections.