A doorman was tragically killed on the Upper East Side while shoveling snow during the snowstorm this week. In what the New York Post dubbed a freak accident, Miguel Gonzalez, 59, slipped while he was shoveling snow, fell down a set of stairs, and had his throat slashed as he crashed through a window pane.
As a result of crashing through the pane of glass, Gonzalez suffered deep lacerations to his neck and face. Emergency medical service providers rushed him to Metropolitan Hospital, but efforts to save him failed.
Maintenance worker Mike Gacevic was also shoveling snow in front of a nearby building when he heard Gonzalez’s co-worker yelling for help. “He said, ‘Please help, my coworker fell down,'” Gacevic explained. “I just saw him bleeding on the floor… his neck was cut a lot … he fell through the glass.”
The accident happened at the entrance of 333 East 93rd Street, a building where Gonzalez had worked for about 20 years. According to other building workers on the street, Gonzalez often talked about retiring soon.
A building worker from the area remarked, “He was a great guy. Always said good morning to everybody. He was always joking around. He was very jovial.” Wendell continued, “Everybody in the neighborhood loved him. If he was going to the store he’d buy you a coffee. This is a big shock. And it’s so sad because he was close to retiring.” “He was always cracking jokes. He is always upbeat. This is a major tragedy for the whole neighborhood. We need more people like him,” Wendell added.
Gonzalez was a married father who lived in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Another building worker, Miguel Modesta, who works across the street from the accident location said, “He was a really nice guy. A good man. I just can’t believe it.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio called the accident was “a very, very sad tragedy” and cautioned “it’s another reminder to people – be very careful when you are shoveling.”
Hector Figueroa, the president of Gonzalez’s union called 32BJ Service Employees International Union extended his condolences. In a statement, Figueroa said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and children and all those who knew and cared about him, including his coworkers and the residents of his building.” He continued, “Our union family will do all we can to support Miguel’s family in this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers also go out to all members working hard to keep us safe during this blizzard and every day.”
If you or someone you know has been injured due to a slip and fall on snow or icy conditions, contact the Law Office of Louis Grandelli.
