Dive Teams Search for Missing Worker After Truck Plunges into Water at Miami-Dade Industrial Site

A tragic industrial accident in Miami-Dade County has prompted an ongoing dive team search after a truck carrying an operator went into the water Monday afternoon at a construction and quarry site.

According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO), the incident occurred at 13292 NW 118th Avenue, the address listed for both Halley Engineering Contractors, Inc. and CEMEX – FEC Quarry, two major industrial businesses that operate heavy construction and materials facilities in the area.

Authorities say first responders from both the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) were dispatched to the scene after reports that a truck and its operator had gone into the water.

After several hours of search operations, divers located the submerged vehicle, but the operator was not found inside. The scene was turned over to the Medley Police Department, and the investigation entered recovery status.

On Tuesday, MDSO confirmed that their dive teams were requested back to the scene to assist with the continued search for the missing worker.

Officials have not released the worker’s identity or any details on what caused the truck to enter the water. The recovery operation remains active as of the latest update.

Industrial accidents—especially those involving heavy equipment, quarries, or excavation sites—are among the most dangerous workplace incidents in Florida. Workers at these facilities routinely operate large vehicles near unstable ground, water retention ponds, or excavation pits, all of which create a heightened risk of rollover and drowning accidents.

Common causes of heavy-equipment and industrial accidents include:

• Vehicle malfunction or brake failure
• Unstable soil or ground collapse near pits or water
• Inadequate training or supervision of operators
• Defective safety restraints or barriers
• Poor visibility or lighting in work zones
• Unsafe equipment loading or weight distribution

Under Florida Statute §440.39, injured workers and families of deceased employees may be entitled to benefits under the Florida Workers’ Compensation Act—but if negligence by a third party (such as a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner) contributed to the accident, families may also pursue a civil wrongful death or negligence claim in addition to workers’ comp benefits.

Legal Considerations in Quarry and Construction Site Accidents

Accidents that occur on industrial or quarry sites often involve multiple parties—owners, subcontractors, and corporate operators—all of whom may share responsibility for maintaining safety conditions.

Potentially liable parties in a case like this could include:

• The worker’s employer – for inadequate training or safety oversight;
• Site owners or operators – for unsafe premises or lack of barriers;
• Equipment manufacturers – if a mechanical or design defect caused the crash;
• Maintenance contractors – for failing to properly inspect or service the vehicle;
• Other subcontractors on site – if negligence or interference led to unsafe conditions.

Florida law imposes strict duties of care on property owners and general contractors to ensure safe working environments, particularly when employees are working near deep water, heavy machinery, or excavation areas.

If those responsibilities are neglected, and a worker dies as a result, the family may file a wrongful death claim under the Florida Wrongful Death Act (§§768.16–768.26) seeking compensation for:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of support and services
• Loss of companionship and parental guidance
• Emotional pain and suffering
• Future income the deceased would have provided

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, we have represented numerous families who have lost loved ones in construction, industrial, and heavy-equipment accidents throughout Florida.

Our legal team conducts comprehensive investigations that go beyond workers’ compensation records to identify all potential sources of liability and recovery, including:

• Site safety and OSHA violation records
• Equipment inspection and maintenance logs
• Witness statements and contractor agreements
• Training documentation and safety protocols

We collaborate with accident reconstruction experts, engineers, and divers to uncover exactly what went wrong and who was responsible.

Our firm is deeply familiar with the industrial environment in Miami-Dade County, including quarry and port operations, construction sites, and commercial freight yards, where corporate negligence can have deadly consequences.

While the search for the missing worker continues, families affected by these tragedies often endure long periods of uncertainty. Recovery efforts in deep water or quarry environments can take days or weeks, requiring specialized dive teams and heavy equipment.

Our firm offers compassionate, hands-on support for families during this process — from communicating with law enforcement to helping them understand their rights under state and federal workplace laws.

If your loved one was injured or went missing in an industrial, construction, or quarry accident in Miami-Dade County or anywhere in Florida, the attorneys at Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm are here to help.

📞 Call 305-638-4143 or contact us online for a free consultation in English or Spanish. You pay no fees unless we win, and we cover all investigation and litigation costs upfront.