Full Breakdown
UPS Driver Killed Days Before Planned Retirement Sparks Federal Safety Probe
By Drooid · · How we work
Fatal Incident at the Earth City Facility
On the night of September 4, 63-year-old Paul Roberts was struck and killed by a UPS vehicle while on duty at the company’s customer-care center in Earth City, Missouri. Roberts, a resident of nearby St Charles, died at the scene. The driver of the vehicle cooperated with investigators, and local police confirmed the accident to the Guardian.
Roberts’ Career and Upcoming Retirement
Roberts had spent 44 years with United Parcel Service, beginning as a teenage package sorter and later serving as a feeder-truck driver. He had planned to retire on September 17, just two weeks after the fatal crash, looking forward to gardening and spending time with his family. His sister, Donna Schraer, told the St Louis Post-Dispatch the timing was “unbelievable” given his imminent retirement. “It’s just unbelievable – that close to finally [being] able to relax,” — Donna Schraer
Official Responses
He expressed sorrow for Roberts’ family, coworkers and friends.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) opened a federal investigation into the death, a process that could last up to six months, according to an OSHA agency spokesperson.
Family, Union and Community Reaction
Roberts’ sister and wife, Barb, described him as a “hard-working family man” and mourned his loss, especially the missed chance to celebrate his retirement. Local news station KSDK reported additional concerns from UPS employees about the dark conditions on the night of the crash and broader safety issues at the site.
Safety Record at the Site
OSHA records show no other fatalities at the Earth City location, though the Post-Dispatch noted two prior incidents that resulted in amputations and other heat-related injuries, none involving vehicles. The investigation will examine whether lighting, vehicle operation protocols, or other factors contributed to the accident.
