The sudden and tragic loss of Trever Staten, a 34-year-old Harrisburg man, has left a community in mourning and raised urgent questions about workplace safety. On the morning of Friday, May 2, 2025, Staten, a subcontractor working at the Utz Quality Foods factory in Hanover, Pennsylvania, fell through a skylight on the facility’s roof, plummeting 30 to 34 feet to the loading dock below.
Despite the swift response of emergency crews, he succumbed to his injuries at UPMC Hanover Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:53 a.m. The York County Coroner’s Office, in an update released on Tuesday, May 6, identified Staten and confirmed the cause of death as blunt force injuries resulting from the fall, ruling the manner of death accidental.
The incident occurred at Utz’s plant on the 900 block of High Street, a bustling hub known for producing the iconic potato chips that have become a staple in American households. Staten was part of a subcontractor crew tasked with setting up scaffolding for roof maintenance, a routine job that turned catastrophic for reasons that remain unclear.
According to the coroner’s report, Staten was on the roof when he fell through the skylight, a sudden and fatal accident that has left his family, friends, and coworkers grappling with grief. His next of kin have been notified, though the coroner has not released further details about his personal life, respecting the family’s need for privacy during this devastating time.
Emergency responders were alerted at 8:38 a.m., with York County 911 records indicating that firefighters, EMS crews, and Hanover Borough Police arrived promptly at the scene.
Yellow caution flags were strung along the roof’s edge above the loading dock, where Staten had fallen, and equipment such as harnesses and rope bags lay scattered nearby, hinting at the work being performed. Despite the efforts of first responders, Staten’s injuries were too severe, and he passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital. An autopsy conducted on Monday, May 5, at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown provided further clarity, confirming the coroner’s initial findings.
Utz Quality Foods, a family-owned company with deep roots in Hanover, expressed profound sorrow in a statement released on the day of the incident. The company acknowledged the tragedy, emphasizing its commitment to supporting the affected family and coworkers while requesting privacy for those impacted. The statement underscored the prompt response of local police and emergency personnel, who worked tirelessly to assist at the scene.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an investigation to determine the circumstances that led to Staten’s fall. The agency, which has up to six months to complete its inquiry, is examining potential safety violations or lapses that may have contributed to the accident. Workplace safety has been a recurring concern in industrial settings, and this incident has renewed focus on the risks faced by subcontractors, who often perform high-risk tasks like roofing and scaffolding work. The investigation will likely explore whether proper safety protocols, such as fall protection systems or skylight guards, were in place and adhered to.
The tragedy at Utz comes amid heightened scrutiny of workplace safety in Pennsylvania, where similar incidents have occurred in recent years. The community of Hanover, a close-knit town in York County, has rallied in quiet support, with many expressing sympathy for Staten’s loved ones. As the investigation unfolds, the hope is that answers will emerge, not only to provide closure for Staten’s family but also to prevent future losses. For now, Trever Staten’s memory endures as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of vigilance in ensuring the safety of those who work to keep industries running.
