A woman has shared the tragic final moments of her husband before he was crushed by a burial vault, including the voicemail he left her. Angel Anthony Rojas, an employee at Restland Funeral Home, was a machine operator responsible for handling heavy burial vaults used to protect coffins and bodies. On October 20, tragedy struck as a 2,000-pound vault fell on Angel while he was working in the storage yard, leaving him pinned to the ground.
In a panicked voicemail call to his wife, Nataly Galaviz, Angel expressed his desperation for help and air. Just a week earlier, the couple had been planning to buy a home together, but their dreams were shattered by the sudden accident. Nataly, speaking to CBS News, recounted her husband’s plea for help and his desire to go home while trapped under the vault.
Upon arrival at the scene, Dallas Fire Rescue found Angel trapped from the waist down by the vault. It took over 45 minutes for rescuers to free him using specialized equipment, but sadly, Angel succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Known for his dedication to helping grieving families, Angel leaves behind a three-year-old son, Angel Noel Rojas.
Litigation attorney Matthew Graham, representing the family, alleges that Angel was working alone on a task that typically required multiple employees, hinting at gross negligence. Nataly emphasized her husband’s work ethic and safety awareness, questioning why he was left unaccompanied in a risky situation. Graham stressed the importance of preventing similar tragedies and shedding light on the circumstances at Restland Funeral Home.
The incident is now under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) while inquiries have been made to Restland Funeral Home for their response.
