Family, Friends Gather To Honor LAX Worker Who Died After Falling From Luggage Tug
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Friends and family gathered Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil in honor of an LAX worker who died after he fell from a luggage tug last week.
KCAL9's Serene Branson reports that mourners gathered at Terminal 3 for Cesar Augusto Valenzuela, who was found dead early last Friday morning.
The coroner's office said the victim's autopsy has been delayed, so details as to what caused his death aren't available.
"He was a hardworking man, a family man. He sacrificed so much for his family and his kids," neighbor Cecilia Velazquez said.
In Spanish, Valenzuela's wife of 24 years, Ulvita Ramirez, said her husband was healthy and they had grown concerned about safety conditions at his job over the past 17 years.
Cal/OSHA is investigating the incident, as well as the safety plan of the company Valenzuela worked for, Menzies Aviation.
Last year, the company was fined nearly $95,000 for safety violations.
Cal/OSHA said these violations have since been corrected. Menzies said they can't comment because they are in the appeals process.
"It was a tragic circumstance...our hearts go out to this family...it is under investigation...and we are not going to jump to any conclusions," a vice president for Menzies told Branson via phone.
To make a donation to Valenzuela's family, visit seiu-usww.org/cesar-fund.
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