Sep 13, 2024

Truck driver killed in apparent accident at pork processing plant

Posted Sep 13, 2024 7:30 PM

By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post

A truck driver from Texas died Friday morning in an apparent accident at Triumph Foods, a pork processing plant, in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Just before 7a.m., police received a call about an accident within the fenced area of the plant, 5302 Stockyards Expressway, according to a media release.

Aaron Ruelas, 39, of Santa Maria, Texas died when a utility truck at the plant, attempting to hitch to a trailer, struck and killed him.

The truck driver says he didn’t see Ruelas behind him when he put the truck in reverse to connect with the trailer hitch. Ruelas worked for a trucking company from East Prairie, Missouri.

Police report the driver is cooperating in the investigation and it appears to be accidental, though the investigation continues.