A haul truck operator died September 14 following an accident at Bell Mine in Lehigh Acres, Florida.
According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office report, the operator became trapped underwater after her haul truck overturned into a lake.
A site manager for Earth Tech Enterprises, the operator of Bell Mine, told deputies he heard a radio transmission to call 911 from another driver in the vicinity of the accident. The caller reported noticing damage to a parked trailer and tires sticking out of the water. He and multiple other workers attempted to rescue the driver but were unsuccessful.
A report from Gulf Coast News Now stated that divers from the sheriff’s office and fire department also attempted to rescue the woman, but she was pinned inside the vehicle. A vehicle recovery mission was required. After retrieving the truck, deputies said they had to remove the windshield, pry up the steering wheel and push back the driver’s seat to get her out of the truck.
The body was turned over to the Medical Examiner’s Office and detectives for further investigation. No additional details about the driver were released. MSHA is also conducting a parallel investigation of the accident.
Earth Tech Enterprises employees pictured at the company's 2025 Safety Day at Bell Mine.Seagate Development Group
Powered byBell Mine is a 500-acre site with reserves of more than 8 million tons of fill dirt and 27 million tons of aggregate, according to Seagate Development Group, which acquired Earth Tech Enterprises in 2021. The mine produces a full range of materials, including FDOT-certified base rock, unwashed aggregate, washed aggregate, rip-rap, and fill dirt. It supplies both Earth Tech Enterprises and external customers across Southwest Florida.
Earth Tech Enterprises reports hosting a Safety Day at Bell Mine in 2025, featuring hands-on demonstrations on loaders, excavators, haul trucks and dozers — with dedicated safety instructions on pre-use inspections, hazard awareness and proper operation. It is unclear if the driver of the haul truck involved in the accident went through the recent safety training.
