James Brasher, the 57-year-old UAW-represented member who died at a Stellantis facility in Center Line on Saturday, Aug. 1, fell to his death while throwing decommissioned equipment out of a second-story roll-up door at a Mopar facility, the Detroit Free Press has learned.
According to Paul Myszenski, the director of Center Line Public Safety, details were still scarce in the death of Brasher. Myszenski told the Free Press his office has so far learned that Brasher was cleaning out the site and throwing items from the building into a trash bin below before he fell into the bin himself and died of an apparent head injury.
Center Line officials denied a state Freedom of Information Act request to obtain documents related to the incident, saying
that information could not be shared because an investigation into the death was ongoing.
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also opened an investigation into the death, said spokesman Mike Krafcik.
MIOSHA keeps an online log of workplace fatalities with descriptions of each incident. Regarding Brasher's death, the safety organization's site says: "On August 1, 2026, a 57-year-old laborer was working on the second floor of a building, discarding decommissioned equipment through a roll-up door into a trash bin located on the ground below. The victim fell approximately 25 feet into the bin."
UAW President Shawn Fain and Vice President Rich Boyer issued a joint statement on Sunday identifying Brasher and lamenting that he "went to work today expecting to complete his shift and return home to his loved ones, but sadly, that will not happen."
The UAW said it would be demanding details from the company over the death.
Stellantis, on Sunday, issued its condolences to the friends and family of Brasher.
"Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family, friends and coworkers ... at the Centerline location, leased by Stellantis," said spokesperson Ann Marie Fortunate. "The safety of our employees is our top priority. We are continuing to work with authorities to thoroughly investigate the cause of this accident."
On Monday, a Stellantis spokesperson said she could not offer additional comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
The facility at which Brasher died was formerly an office space for Mopar's administrative functions. Mopar is Stellantis' vehicle parts subcompany. The building was sold in January 2025, though Stellantis has continued to lease the property until the opening of its new, consolidated Mopar Mega Hub, which is slated to open in Van Buren Township in 2027.
Free Press staff writer Christina Hall contributed to this report. Liam Rappleye covers Stellantis and the UAW for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him: LRappleye@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: UAW member died after 25-foot fall into trash bin, state says
