Investigation into Western Sugar death continues – The Fort Morgan Times

A photo of Western Sugar in Fort Morgan. (Photo courtesy)

The Fort Morgan Times reached out to Morgan County Coroner Mike Dahl about the Western Sugar incident on May 29. Dahl responded in an email on June 26: “We are continuing our investigation with other agencies to determine the cause and manner of death of Tristan Teter. The results of forensic testing typically take a few weeks. These results will be considered in preparing our final opinion.”

The Fort Morgan Times also attempted to reach Western Sugar but has not received a response.

Kevin Potter of Teamsters Local 455 in Fort Morgan recently spoke to The Fort Morgan Times about the incident at Western Sugar. On May 30, Teamsters Local 455 posted a Facebook post (which has since been removed) that said, “A Western Sugar Teamster has died and another has been hospitalized after a gas leak was reported. Two employees, Genrri Ramires-Garcia, age 22, and Luke Zion, age 23, were attempting to make repairs at Western Sugar’s wastewater plant when the men were reportedly overcome by hydrogen sulfide gas. Tristan Teter ran into the underground room to help Zion, and Teter later died. Garcia was treated at the scene and Zion remains hospitalized.”

The post said Kevin Potter, a representative of the Teamsters Local 455 union, said they were hired to fix a problem in the pump house, which is 20 to 30 feet underground. Union representative Tyler Powell said the men were working on pumps in the 2 ½-year-old sewage plant when they opened the seal and sludge began to seep out.

The post said multiple fire departments responded and two firefighters were taken to the hospital. Teter was reportedly pulled from the underground room by Greg Mares, a former Western Sugar Steward who now works as a firefighter at Brush.

It added that Dean Modecker, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 455, said Western Sugar allowed workers to leave the plant the day after the tragedy. Three Teamsters agents were on site to help workers leave the plant and process their emotions. OSHA was notified.

Powel said in the post that Teter and Zion were both top mechanics who had repeatedly reported concerns to management about the danger of hydrogen sulfide at the wastewater plant. “They were in a dire situation and should never have failed without monitoring equipment. There was no training for employees on the dangers of hydrogen sulfide or what to do in an emergency.”

Abel Silva, 25, an electrical and instrumentation technician who is also a member of the facility’s confined space rescue team, said he was on his way home when he received a call from a family member who works in police. In the post, Silva said, “I found out there were two people down there and went straight to the pump house.”

The post described the scene as a hectic scramble with fire engines and emergency personnel. Silva said he had to warn supervisors and colleagues not to enter the room because of the danger. Silva shared Powell’s concerns about the lack of training regarding hydrogen sulfide, also known as swamp gas or sewer gas.

The post ended with a quote from Modecker: “Our members leave their homes every day to go to work with their families and expect them to come back. Our brother never made it home.” iModecker ended the post by urging all Teamsters to keep track of Zion, who was still in the hospital at the time, and to pray for a quick and speedy recovery.

Morgan County Sheriff Dave Martin issued a statement on May 30 regarding the incident and the death of one of the Western Sugar employees. “The cause of death is being investigated by the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office and the Morgan County Coroner’s Office. This investigation will include laboratory work and will likely take weeks to complete the results. While four other individuals were treated at Saint Elizabeth Hospital in Fort Morgan, two firefighters and a Western Sugar employee were treated and released, and a third Western Sugar employee was transferred to a Front Range hospital for further treatment.”

The statement said that based on discussions with plant managers on site and air monitoring by emergency responders, they believe the contamination was hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S). There was no chemical release on Western Sugar’s property, the production of H2S gas is a natural and biological process, and there is no public risk. Martin concluded the statement by saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved. The people involved in this tragic event are all members of our community. They are all family, friends and acquaintances.”

9News reported on the incident and quoted Stacy Hodgson, Teters’ mother, as saying, “I think this is just the worst thing that can happen to a mother. It’s not right and it just shouldn’t be this way.” The article went on to say that Stacy shed tears over her loss, but even more so over the loss her daughter-in-law and grandchildren are going through now that her son is gone. “It’s horrible for me, but I raised two wonderful boys, she’s still having to raise two wonderful boys now without the love of her life,” Hodgson said of Monti Page, Tristan’s wife. Page said the last week felt like a horrible nightmare. “We grew up together,” Page explained. “We built a life and a home for our little boys. We had so many plans.”

The article goes on to say that Teter and Page have two boys together, a 3-year-old who will soon turn 4, and a 1.5-year-old. She worries that her children will grow up barely remembering the man they knew for only a short time. The couple ran a farm together. Page said that when she explained the situation to her older son, he knew his father was in the stars and he talked to him and they took time to sit with him. “We tell him about our day, tell him we love him,” Page said.

The article said that a car show, a motorcycle and car show, was being held in Teter’s honor on June 29 at Berkley Park Highlands in Denver. Page said he enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together, which he did with his ’75 Chevy. Donations from the event would benefit Page and her children. Teter was the household’s main source of income.

Hodgson added that the outpouring of love from the community had already overwhelmed her, but it confirmed what she knew about her son: that he was truly celebrated by many.

Kevin Potter of Teamsters 455 told the Fort Morgan Times that Tyler Powell was a union representative at the sugar plant for years. “Powell and the other representatives have advocated for safety on my behalf, which is why they hold this position. The members of Western Sugar elected them and held the company accountable for numerous safety issues. Powell will tell you, I am not afraid of my job, and safety must be a priority.”

Potter said Western Sugar held a moment of silence for Teeter but allowed production to continue at the warehouse. He said he received calls from employees saying they were not in the mood and wished they could go home. “We went there (to Western Sugar) and they were eventually able to go home and their jobs were not at risk.”

Potter said when Western Sugar announced that all subcontractors would not be coming that day, he received a message from some Teamsters who wished they had been given the same opportunity.

Potter further told The Fort Morgan Times that his job is first and foremost to uphold the contract, which includes the safety of their members. “Safety must be a priority,” Potter said. “The Teamsters have a personal relationship with Tristan (Teter) and Luke (Zion). Both men were stewards at Cargill, and respect for the family must be a top priority during this time.”

On June 8, a celebration was held for Teter at the Overland Trail Museum in Sterling. A meal train was set up for his wife and sons, and as of this writing, over $20,000 has been raised of a $5,000 goal. Meals have been delivered to the family to assist them during this difficult time.

His mother, Stacy Hodgson, organized the fundraiser and said, “Tristan Teter’s life ended at age 27. His wife and two young sons are now trying to navigate life without him and could use some help with this transition.”

The Teamsters held a member recognition barbecue at Glen Miller Park in Fort Morgan on Saturday, June 22. Potter said there was a moment of silence in Tristan’s honor and that Teamsters Local 455 will continue to support the Teter family in any way needed.

If you would like to donate to the family, visit the Meal Train website at https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/1v9odz.