Dallas, TX – A 24-year-old funeral home worker was fatally crushed by a falling concrete burial vault while on the job at Restland Funeral Home, leaving behind a chilling voicemail for his wife as he pleaded for help. The victim’s family is now considering a negligence lawsuit against his employer, claiming he should never have been working alone when the tragedy occurred.
The Incident: Worker Pinned Under Heavy Burial Vault
According to officials and family members, Angel Rojas, a dedicated employee at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas, was using heavy machinery to move concrete burial vaults — large protective containers used to encase caskets — when one of the vaults suddenly fell on him, trapping him underneath.
“My husband was pinned under a vault pleading for help, pleading for air,” his wife, Nataly Rojas, said tearfully during a press conference.
Angel’s body was pinned to the ground from the waist down. In his final moments, he reportedly made two desperate phone calls — one to his employer for help and another to his wife, which went to voicemail.
“He told me he loved me and he wanted to go home,” Nataly said, recalling the heartbreaking message her husband left her while trapped. “He was scared.”
Firefighters from Dallas Fire-Rescue arrived at the scene and used hydraulic spreaders and air bags to lift the heavy vault off Rojas after more than 45 minutes. Despite their efforts, Angel was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to a nearby hospital.
Investigation and Evidence: OSHA and Legal Scrutiny
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an investigation into the circumstances of Rojas’ death, examining whether safety protocols were violated and whether he should have been working alone.
“There is no way on earth this man should have been operating that machinery alone,” said Matthew Graham, the attorney representing the Rojas family. “He shouldn’t have been working alone. He shouldn’t have been moving things of that weight alone.”
Rojas’ attorney described the situation as gross negligence and stated that the family is exploring legal options, including a wrongful death and gross negligence lawsuit against Restland Funeral Home.
“We believe it is grossly negligent of Restland for them to have put him in that position and for them to have caused his death,” Graham added.
Family members also questioned whether proper supervision or equipment safeguards were in place at the time of the accident.
Company Statement and Response
While Restland Funeral Home has not commented in detail on the allegations, the company issued a statement expressing grief over Rojas’ death.
“We are saddened by the loss of our long-standing valued employee,” the funeral home said. “We are cooperating with the authorities to determine the cause. His family and his fellow Restland employees need our support, and we ask that we all give them space and time to grieve.”
The statement did not address the specific safety concerns raised by the family or clarify whether Rojas was indeed working alone when the fatal accident occurred.
Family Reaction: “He Never Should Have Been There Alone”
During the emotional press conference, Nataly Rojas described her husband as a hardworking and safety-conscious man who always understood the risks of his job.
“My husband was a smart worker,” she said. “He knew the risk of a small error. He knew the precautions for everything he was doing. I don’t know what happened, but whatever did happen, he never should have been there alone.”
The family’s attorney said they plan to push for accountability not just for Angel’s death, but also to ensure workplace reforms that prevent similar tragedies from happening to others.
“If there is one thing we can do for his memory and for this family,” Graham said, “it’s to keep this from happening to anybody else.”
Background Context: Workplace Safety and Liability
Burial vaults, which can weigh more than 2,000 pounds, require specialized lifting equipment and team operation under OSHA guidelines. Safety experts note that working alone with such heavy materials violates standard workplace safety practices in most funeral and cemetery operations.
The ongoing OSHA investigation will determine whether Restland Funeral Home followed proper procedures and whether negligence contributed to Rojas’ death. If violations are found, the funeral home could face civil penalties and lawsuits from the victim’s family.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
Attorney Matthew Graham confirmed that the family has begun gathering evidence and witness statements, including communication logs from the day of the accident. The family is also awaiting the results of OSHA’s investigation, which will play a key role in determining the scope of legal action.
Meanwhile, Nataly Rojas continues to grieve while caring for the couple’s family, saying she hopes the case leads to stronger safety standards for workers across the funeral and cemetery industry.
“He just wanted to be held,” she said softly, recalling her husband’s final words. “He told me he loved me and wanted to go home.”
Conclusion
The tragic death of Angel Rojas has raised serious concerns about workplace safety and supervision in high-risk environments. As investigations continue and legal action looms, his family remains determined to seek justice — both for his memory and to ensure no other family endures the same loss.
What are your thoughts on this case and workplace safety standards? Share your opinions in the comments below.
