Dad, 28, killed in catastrophic plant accident after 1,000-pound machinery piece struck him
A young father’s life was cut short in a devastating workplace incident that has now led to legal action and renewed scrutiny of safety practices at an industrial facility.
Garrick Newell, a contractor working at a chemical plant operated by TPC Group in Houston, died after being struck by a massive piece of equipment that reportedly became airborne during a job on February 7.
According to reporting from ABC affiliate KTRK-TV, Newell had been called in to assist with removing a bell head from a boilermaker when the incident unfolded. Attorneys representing his family say the equipment, weighing more than 1,000 pounds, suddenly moved through the air and hit him.
Mo Aziz, one of the family’s lawyers, told KTRK that the object “flew around 15 feet and struck him.”
Lawsuit alleges unsafe working conditions
The family has since filed a lawsuit claiming the work Newell was assigned was unsafe and carried out under the direction and control of the company.
Court filings cited by KTRK-TV state that the operation should not have been performed under those conditions. The legal complaint also alleges that the company failed to properly maintain its equipment prior to the fatal incident.
Newell’s widow, Candice Newell, said in court documents that the operation was conducted “at the specific direction and control” of the company.
Scott Armstrong, another attorney representing the family, emphasized the role of oversight at such facilities, stating that “nothing happens at these plants without the authority and permission of the owner, of the operator.”
Aziz added that the tragedy was preventable, saying, “This whole thing could have been avoided.”
TPC Group declined to comment on the case when contacted by PEOPLE, stating that it does not comment on pending litigation or related matters.
A family left behind
Newell, described as a devoted husband and father, leaves behind his wife Candice, their daughter Dallee, and stepdaughter Hadley.
His obituary portrays a man deeply committed both to his work and to his family. It notes that he built a respected career as a general foreman supervisor specializing in refinery shutdowns, often spending extended periods away from home to support his team and projects.
The tribute also highlights the central role his family played in his life, describing how he cherished time spent with loved ones.
Candice Newell shared a message a month after his death, writing online about the loss felt by their family. She reflected on the passing of time since the incident and expressed the pain of losing her husband, adding that they would do anything for one more day together.
The couple had been together for more than seven years and married in 2022.
Past safety concerns raised
The incident has also drawn attention to prior safety issues linked to the company’s operations.
KTRK-TV reported that three explosions occurred at a TPC facility in Port Neches in 2019, injuring three people. A later review by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board found that the company failed to identify areas where hazardous substances could accumulate and cited shortcomings in its safety management system during procedural interruptions.
TPC Group describes itself as North America’s largest independent processor of C4 hydrocarbons and states on its website that it is committed to safety, environmental responsibility, and its workforce.
The case surrounding Newell’s death is ongoing.
