GLENDALE, Ariz. (KPHO/Gray News) – An Arizona family is mourning the death of their son who died at a construction site this week.
“Words can’t describe how I feel right now,” Latoya Cheney said. “I still think he’s at work, but knowing that he’s gone … It’s really tearing me apart and it’s tearing his siblings apart, his dad.”
Cheney’s oldest son, 22-year-old Tyrone Wilson, died Monday after police said he fell about six stories around 3 a.m. at VAI Resort.
The resort is not far from State Farm Stadium and the Loop 101 freeway.
“That was the beginning of his shift. That’s when he starts,” she said.
Details on what happened are still limited, but the state’s worker safety agency is looking into any violations.
Wilson was an ironworker, rodbuster and carpenter hired to help build VAI Resort, which is slated to become Arizona’s largest resort.
“He chose the hardest job and he wanted to be an ironworker, then he wanted to be a journeyman. He wanted to show us how strong and how proud he was to be an ironworker and to work that hard, tough job,” Cheney said.
The Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health typically takes about five months to complete a report.
State officials said they are investigating safety standards at the worksite but could not comment on any active investigations.
“I feel like it frustrates me that not knowing, you know. I will get to the conclusion, but I want to put my son to rest. He deserves everything I have right now,” Cheney said.
The construction company building VAI Resort and the resort itself are owned by the same parent company, Fisher Industries.
Earlier this week, the company’s chief business officer issued a statement expressing sadness about his death and offering condolences to his family.
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, and colleagues of the individual involved. At this time, we cannot comment further until we receive the results of the in-progress investigation,” Todd Mack, of Fisher Industries, said.
Wilson’s loved ones have since started a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses.
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