Mine truck driver dies after crossing berm into water-filled pit

A mine truck driver died after the haul truck he was driving went over a berm along a haul road and into a water-filled pit.

MSHA reported the incident occurred Oct. 28 at the Cemex surface crushed broken limestone FEC quarry in Miami, Florida.

Luis Espinosa, the driver, had over 10 years experience operating haul trucks. The vehicle involved was a Caterpillar 785D.

Local news station WPLG reported a dive team from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office along with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue searched the water to recover Espinosa’s body.

Best practices for mine haul truck drivers

MSHA listed best practices for drivers and mine operators to keep haul truck drivers safe on the job:

For drivers

• Perform pre-operational examinations of mobile equipment.
• Always operate mobile equipment at safe speeds. Consider the roadways, tracks, grades, clearances, visibility, traffic, and type of equipment used.
• Always wear a seatbelt while operating mobile equipment. Never attempt to exit or jump from an out-of-control vehicle.

For mine operators

• Ensure berms and guardrails are at least mid-axle height of the largest mobile equipment using the roadway.
• Follow the surface mobile equipment safety program at your mine.

MSHA also recently issued a safety alert to contract truck drivers operating in mines with similar guidelines.

The agency said this incident is the 26th fatality reported in 2025, and the 11th classified as powered haulage.