Francisco Rodriquez Obituary, Death; – On Thursday, a trench in Kansas City, Kansas, collapsed while workers were engaged in the installation of a fiber optic project, resulting in the death of one individual. The police have since disclosed the identity of the deceased, and additional information regarding the companies involved is now surfacing.
On Friday, the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department reported that 54-year-old Francisco Rodriquez of KCK tragically lost his life in this incident.
According to authorities, the KCK Fire Department indicated that the collapse occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. near the intersection of 16th Street and Metropolitan Avenue, close to the railroad tracks. The KCKFD responded to reports of a worker operating an excavator for the fiber project, but upon arrival, they observed that the equipment had ceased movement.
Upon investigation at the site, workers discovered the trench had collapsed, with a hand shovel located nearby.
It was not until 11:45 p.m. that first responders located Rodriguez, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The KCKPD has assumed control of the investigation from the KCKFD. Police have announced that a death investigation is currently underway, with the cause of the collapse being examined by various agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
KCTV5 Investigates uncovered two tickets submitted through Kansas 811 pertaining to this project.
K&W Underground Inc. has confirmed that its employees were involved in the project on Thursday.
K&W is a contractor specializing in telecommunications construction services, undertaking projects such as the installation of fiber lines, design, and maintenance.
On Friday, July 18, K&W submitted two tickets to Kansas 811, indicating that workers were relocating fiber for the company Lumen, which offers a range of services, including internet access.
The tickets further reveal that K&W commenced work on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, with plans to operate in the area for approximately 20 weeks.
In Kansas, the 811 notification service is utilized by companies intending to dig; they must call in advance so that other organizations can mark the area prior to the commencement of work. The companies that responded include:
ATT DISTRIBUTION
KC BPU-ELECTRIC DEPT
KC BPU-WATER DEPT
KANSAS GAS SERVICE
LEVEL 3 IS NOW LUMEN
UNIFIED GOVERNMENT
