COLUMBUS, Ga. — A man was killed early Wednesday in a tragic construction accident in Columbus, according to Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan.

Bryan confirmed that Michael Cody, 49, was working in the 7400 block of River Crest Drive when the incident occurred. Cody had been operating a sheep’s foot roller compactor, a machine commonly used for compacting soil, when it flipped over and pinned him under the roll bar.

Cody was pronounced dead at 6:27 a.m., Bryan said.

An autopsy will be conducted because the fatality happened on a job site. Bryan also confirmed that Cody was a subcontractor for the Alexander Co., LLC, based in Edison, Georgia — about an hour and 20 minutes from Columbus.
The Muscogee County Coroner’s Office and local authorities have not yet released additional details on what may have caused the heavy equipment to overturn. Safety inspectors with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are expected to investigate the site to determine whether safety protocols were followed and whether any workplace violations occurred.

“This is a tragic situation for everyone involved,” Bryan said. He emphasized that an autopsy is standard procedure in workplace deaths to help clarify the cause and contributing factors.

The Alexander Co., LLC, which specializes in construction and site development work, has not yet issued a public statement. It remains unclear how many other workers were on site when the accident occurred.

This incident comes at a time when construction site safety remains a critical concern across Georgia and the U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that construction is one of the most dangerous industries in the nation, with rollovers involving heavy machinery among the leading causes of fatalities.

Colleagues described Cody as a hard-working professional who had spent years operating heavy equipment. Local labor groups say the incident is a reminder of the importance of rigorous training, equipment inspections, and adherence to strict safety measures on construction sites.

More information is expected as OSHA and local officials complete their investigation.

Originally reported by Kelby Hutchison in Ledger-Enquirer.