A Mississippi man was fatally “buried” alive under “hot asphalt” after his truck malfunctioned and released the smoldering pavement on top of him, according to police.
Darrell Sheriff, 41, was working on a hydraulic line underneath a truck he was picking up from AJ Materials in Jackson on Monday when the tailgate opened and “unloaded” asphalt onto him.
Officers with the Jackson Police Department responded to the scene at around 10:30 a.m. and discovered Sheriff “buried under hot asphalt,” Chief Joseph Wade said in a press conference.
“There was some individuals on scene that tried to help him,” Wade said.
“They said he tried to fight to make it through those injuries, but they were just too enormous for him to survive.”
Wade described the scene as “horrific” and “tragic.”
“It’s something that you do not want to see,” the lawman said.
The police department said they are conducting an in-depth investigation but believe Sheriff’s death is classified as an accident.
“It appeared to be some type of malfunction with his dump truck,” Wade said.
The Jackson Police Chief said some family members who were on the scene during the fatality identified their loved one and were “traumatized,” describing him as a “good, hard-working family man.”
“With the holidays coming up, to lose this gentleman, who was out here just trying to make a living,” Wade shared.
“They’re really hurt, but we’re going to be here to support them and uplift them in prayer.”
with Post wires
