Home Depot Worker Elijah Chute Killed in Forklift and Semi Collision

Elijah James Chute, 22, was killed after a collision between a forklift and a semitruck at the Home Depot in Fleming Plaza off County Road 220 in Fleming Island. Emergency crews transported Chute to Orange Park Medical Center following the Nov. 9 incident, and he died at the hospital within 90 minutes of arrival.

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office investigated the scene and later provided an incident report to local outlets. The sheriff’s office told reporters, “There was an accident that caused the death of a young man.” Local reporting identified the semitruck driver as a 49-year-old man from North Miami; the driver was not injured and provided a statement to the sheriff’s office.

Federal and local safety authorities were notified. OSHA was alerted about the industrial accident and sent at least one compliance officer to the site for follow-up, and the case remained active pending the medical examiner’s report at the time local outlets updated their coverage.

Home Depot issued a statement mourning Chute and describing him as a helpful associate. The company said, “Elijah always had a smile on his face and was willing to jump in and help anyone who needed it. We’re heartbroken for the loss of our friend and fellow associate, and his family are in our prayers.” Early reporting noted Home Depot initially provided only the employee’s first name before the sheriff’s office incident report identified Chute by his full name.

Friends and co-workers organized online support for Chute’s family following the collision. Local reporting said the family and colleagues set up a meal train and a donation campaign to help the household cope with funeral and immediate expenses, and Chute’s mother described him as having a very big heart and being helpful, generous and dependable.

Local outlets tracked the reporting over the week after the collision. An initial local report ran shortly after the event, a follow-up identified Chute by full name after the sheriff’s office released its incident report, and a detailed account published later described the Nov. 9 collision, the hospital timeline, the semitruck driver’s age and hometown, and OSHA’s involvement. Investigations by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, OSHA and the medical examiner were all listed as ongoing at the time of those reports.