Posted on 12/23/2025 3:34:22 PM PST by lowbridge
A forklift driver was allegedly talking on the phone when he struck and killed a 45-year-old man.
According to WTOC, new information has emerged about a fatal forklift incident that occurred in April at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America site.
The report states that 45-year-old Sunbok You, the CEO of Hyundai subcontractor SBY America, was struck and killed at the HL-GA Battery Company construction site. While speaking with workers at around 4:45 p.m. on March 21, You walked across a road before being struck by a forklift.
The Bryan County Sheriff’s Office told WTOC reporters at the time that You’s body was “lying behind the forklift,” with a 10- to 15-foot-long trail of blood. The outlet obtained graphic images of the incident and reported that You was severed from the waist up in front of a forklift labeled “Hyundai.”
HL-GA Battery Company issued the following statement to the outlet around the time of the incident:
“Recently, there was a tragic incident at the site of our manufacturing facility in Bryan County which resulted in a fatality. We express our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of the deceased. We are offering support services and are reinforcing safety protocols. We are fully cooperating with OSHA on the investigation.”
An OSHA report reviewed by WTOC reportedly states that You was wearing a black vest and an eye patch over his right eye while on the construction site and was not wearing a high-visibility green vest, as required by HL-GA Battery Company rules.
A translated statement given to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) by a safety manager stated that the forklift driver was talking on the phone while operating the vehicle and “ran away” without checking on You after the collision.
(Excerpt) Read more at local12.com ...
This guy might lose his job.
“Page Not Found”.
I was hoping to get the name of the Forklift Driver.
Horrible. I can see a momentary running off, because the driver may be in shock, but he would still be expected to return to the scene and wait for authorities.
… You was wearing a black vest and an eye patch …Out of context, this looks like ebonics.
Is English the writer's second language?
(just kidding. I know who You is.)
Was there a 5 foot long machete bolted to the front of the forklift? How could a forklift cut a man in half?
This is the same plant where ~400 illegal aliens were rounded up a few months ago. I bet the forklift driver didn’t read or speak English. And, he is probably here illegally.
Gov Kemp touts all these new manufacturing plants coming to Georgia but none of the jobs ever go to American citizens.
“The report states that 45-year-old Sunbok You, the CEO of Hyundai subcontractor SBY America, was struck and killed at the HL-GA Battery Company construction site. While speaking with workers at around 4:45 p.m. on March 21, You walked across a road before being struck by a forklift.” You walked across the wrong road dude.
Forks together raised waist high when traveling, hit and skewers victim and dangling legs get caught under wheels pulling him apart.
Someone who used to certify forklift operators at the place I work used this video as part of the training.
https://youtu.be/TJYOkZz6Dck?si=uof2NvOWk4lLLFTu
Sheeshhh...what a grisly picture. Individual forks are what? 4” or 5” wide? Pushed together you’ve got that 8” to 10” knife-edge out front.
Obviously, we need more information than this. What color was the forklift? Was it electric or propane powered? What year was it made? What is the Kelly Blue Book value of the forklift?
I dunno. You was apparently unharmed from the waist down.
Good god what a nightmare story. “Sunbok You, the CEO of Hyundai subcontractor SBY America”.
To boot the guys a VIP. Shouldn’t matter but it probably will.
I would not ever want to have a job at OSHA, the terrible stories they get...they are horrific.
Thanks for the info.
So, there had been at least 53 other incidents at this site where Hyundai vehicles were being used.
OSHA “exploded!”
Forklift drivers when travelling without cargo, have the forks at about 8 feet to clear the sight lines. It is what I was taught. In the warehouse, the forks were flat on the ground when parked. Raised up to travel. I loaded and unloaded a lot of drywall.
“I feel sorry for the guy driving the forklift.”
You are strange!
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