SAN LEANDRO — A 66-year-old great-grandmother was killed Monday when she was struck by a bulldozer while working at a Waste Management plant, a company spokeswoman said.

Evangelina “Eva” Macias, of San Leandro, was struck by the vehicle while working as a traffic director in the plant’s public drop-off zone at 2615 Davis St, spokeswoman Karen Stern said.

Alameda County fire provided emergency care around 2:55 p.m. after responding to reports that the woman’s hips and legs were crushed in the accident, fire officials said.

Macias, a plant employee for nearly 13 years, then was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead Monday evening, Stern said.

The man driving the bulldozer, a Waste Management employee since 1990, has been placed on paid administrative leave while the sanitation company investigates the fatal accident, the spokeswoman said. Waste Management officials did not provide specific details about the incident, saying they still are trying to determine exactly what happened.

“We’re conducting a thorough investigation, and we’re all trying to determine what could have led to this event,” Stern said. “Our employees are trained extensively in safety and all wear yellow vests and hard hats while working.”

Waste Management officials visited the Macias family at their San Leandro home Tuesday.

Macias’ daughters described her as a family-oriented woman who had a positive attitude and enjoyed

shopping and singing Mexican folk songs. She especially liked to stay busy.

“She loved to work,” her daughter, Maria Macias, said, her voice cracking with emotion. “She was a workaholic, and she refused to retire.”

Macias and her husband, Victor, 62, raised their three children in the East Bay, where they settled in the early 1970s, family members said. Eva Macias was born in La Palma, Mexico, a small town in the state of Michoacan — about 125 miles west of Mexico City. The couple immigrated to Illinois in 1968 before moving to Northern California a few years later. A mother of three children, Macias had five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, her daughter said.

“She was outgoing and friendly,” Maria Macias said. “She had friends everywhere, and she loved to get together with family and cook.”

Macias’ daughters said they are planning to schedule a viewing for Sunday and funeral services for Monday but still are finalizing the details.

In addition to her husband and elder daughter, Macias is survived by her daughter, Anna Macias; and was predeceased in 2000 by her son, Rafael Macias, family members said.

On Monday afternoon, operations at the Waste Management drop-off area were suspended after the fatal accident, while other work at the 52-acre plant continued for the rest of the day, Stern said. All operations resumed Tuesday at the drop-off area, where the public is encouraged to deliver wood, metals and recyclables for plant employees to sift through.

Macias’ co-workers are a core group of 22 employees who had performed six years of injury-free work before the fatal accident, Stern said.

Waste Management officials provided grief counselors for plant workers Tuesday, as well as a 1-800 number for employees to call for counseling, the spokeswoman said.

“It was a tragic accident and we’re all dealing with the loss,” Stern said. “Needless to say, it’s devastating to our employees. Our hearts go out to her family.”

The death is being investigated by Cal-OSHA, said agency spokesman Peter Melton.

Beyond Workers’ Comp

Many injured  workers assume they are only able to receive workers’ compensation benefits for injuries on the job site.  A careful analysis of the accident by an attorney experienced in construction injury claims may reveal other sources of financial compensation.  If an employee of another subcontractor was responsible for the falling debris that injured you, we may pursue an injury claim against his or her employer, for example.  A general contractor who failed to maintain a safe workplace may also be liable.

The Law Offices of Gary A Kessler have a long history of winning impressive results for construction injury victims and the family members of those who died a wrongful death due to construction accidents.

Demand accountability from those responsible for the dangerous conditions of  workplace site accidents.  Many times the insurance companies will play “hardball” if you try to settle the case yourself or you have employed a lawyer who does not have the litigation experience to handle such a complex case.  We at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler have twenty years of litigation experience and know how to handle the insurance companies to your advantage.  We are prepared to front all costs required for the necessary investigation and expert witnesses needed to prepare your case for trial.

The laws regarding workplace accident cases are complex and include many facets of the law. It is vital to surviving family members to seek the advice of an experienced construction accident lawyer such as Gary A Kessler at the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler to protect your rights and those of your loved ones.

With over 20 years of experience, Gary A Kessler has earned the respect of our colleagues and the courts in California and nationwide for our personal injury work.  We have achieved a winning record on behalf of our clients, and we are proud of our successful cases that lead to safety improvements through strengthened laws and product recall.

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury or lost a loved one in a workplace accident, we encourage you to contact the Law Offices of Gary A Kessler today for a free consultation.