Worker dies after falling down elevator shaft
A construction worker who had only been on the job for two days fells to his death in an elevator shaft.
The father of six was working construction at an off-campus dormitory for University of Louisville students.
An investigation is ongoing at the housing complex, called The Grove, after 34-year-old T.J. Warner fell to his death.
"He was my husband, my best friend and father to our six kids," said T.J. Warner's wife, Melissa Marquez-Warner. "I had woken up at 5, I had taken a nap with our new baby. He hadn't come home, so I thought he was working late. So I thought he'll be home by 6."
But when T.J. Warner, didn't return, Melissa Warner went to the construction site at The Grove.
"There were a lot of cop cars there, but nobody said anything to me," said Melissa Warner.
But a detective and the coroner waited for her at home. According to police, a coworker at the site found T.J. Warner at the bottom of an elevator shaft just before 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
It's still not clear how long he was there before he was found.
The developer of the student housing complex, Campus Crest Communities, released a statement saying, "We are deeply saddened by this tragedy and our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and coworkers. We are working in full cooperation with authorities."
But for Melissa Warner; there are still many questions.
"I don't even know how far he fell or why this elevator shaft wasn't blocked off," said Melissa Warner.
And all of those kinds of questions won't be answered until the investigation is complete, and that could take some time.
T.J. Warner was an employee of a subcontractor at the site.
The Grove is being built on Unity Place near the Speed Art Museum. It's scheduled to open in late August, but there is no word on whether the investigation will delay the opening.