Virginia Injury Lawyer Blog

Rockingham County woman killed in workplace trucking accident

State labor authorities are investigating a fatal truck-pedestrian accident at a western Virginia poultry plant, according to WHSV-TV in Harrisonburg.

Bonnie K. Dellinger, 66, was working at the Pilgrim’s Pride plant in Timberville, in Rockingham County and about 15 miles northeast of Harrisonburg, when the accident happened.

Dellinger died in the early morning hours of Nov. 19 when she was backed over by delivery truck in a company parking lot as she walked to the plant, The Daily News Record of Harrisonburg said.

Dellinger, a Rockingham County native, lived in nearby Broadway, according to her obituary. Survivors include her husband, David Lee Dellinger, as well as three children and many grandchildren and other relatives.

Virginia State Police officials told WHSV that the area where Dellinger was killed was poorly lit. The driver of the truck, Eddie Campbell, will probably not be charged with a crime, state police said to the TV station.

The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry is leading the investigation of the accident. Department officials have already paid a visit to the plant, and will decide whether any health or safety rule violations took place.

Pilgrim’s Pride has been bankrupt since December 2008 and plans to sell most of itself to a Brazilian meat producer to exit bankruptcy.

Once the country’s biggest chicken producer, Reuters reported, Pilgrim’s Pride lost $151.6 million last year. Forced into bankruptcy by high feed prices, slow chicken sales and poor acquisitions, Pilgrim’s Pride has since increased prices, cut employees and closed or sold plants.

Labels: Bonnie Dellinger Bonnie K. Dellinger Pilgrims Pride Rockingham County Timberville workplace accident workplace injury