LOS BANOS, CA (July 31, 2025) — A construction worker operating heavy machinery was killed Tuesday morning in Fresno County when the excavator he was using overturned and crushed him against a boulder.
The fatal accident happened near the intersection of Tollhouse Road and Newmark Avenue, northeast of Fresno. Emergency crews responded shortly after 7:00 a.m., where they discovered the excavator had tipped and trapped the operator beneath the machine.
The victim was later identified as Johnathan Swarthout, a 35-year-old resident of Los Banos. Authorities confirmed that he was pronounced dead at the scene.
CAL FIRE and the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office are actively investigating the circumstances leading up to the rollover. Officials have not yet stated whether mechanical failure, soil conditions, or operator error may have played a role.
No other injuries were reported, and no further details about the worksite or employer have been released. Investigators are expected to conduct a thorough review of the equipment and site conditions as part of the official accident report.
Excavator rollovers are a well-documented risk in construction and quarry operations, particularly on uneven terrain. Workplace safety experts emphasize the importance of strict adherence to operational protocols, including equipment inspections and slope safety assessments.
Swarthout’s death marks a sobering reminder of the dangers faced by construction and quarry workers across California. His name adds to the growing list of fatalities tied to heavy machinery operations in rural and mountainous regions of the Central Valley.
More information will be released as the investigation progresses.
