Timothy R. Gillitzer,Obituary, Death – Officials have identified the man who died after falling from a boom truck at the Rock County 4-H Fairgrounds in Janesville on Saturday, October 19. The Rock County Medical Examiner’s Department confirmed that the victim was Timothy R. Gillitzer, a 59-year-old resident of Milton. Gillitzer died from injuries sustained during the fall.
According to the Rock County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the incident around 10:30 a.m., after receiving reports of two individuals falling from a boom truck at the fairgrounds. The fall occurred during an employee appreciation event hosted by the Rock County Energy Cooperative. The event included equipment demonstrations, during which the accident took place.
During one of the demonstrations, the boom on a truck extended, causing both a man and a woman to fall approximately 10 feet. While the woman survived and was taken to the hospital for treatment, Gillitzer succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at a local hospital later that day.
The Rock County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Rock County Medical Examiner’s Department, is investigating the circumstances surrounding the fall. Additionally, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an investigation to determine if any safety regulations were violated.
The tragic accident has raised concerns about workplace safety during events involving heavy equipment demonstrations. OSHA’s involvement ensures that proper safety protocols will be reviewed to prevent future incidents of this nature. Further details will be provided as the investigation continues.