Workplace accident victim’s family wants answers

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The family of a Macon man who died at Nichiha USA during a work-related accident addressed media outlets Thursday morning. Family members say they have yet to receive any details about how their loved one died.

“How many people have to die before something is done?” L. Chris Stewart, attorney representing the Bonner’s family asked.

That is the question the Bonner family also wants answered by Nichiha USA.

According to Macon-Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones, 59-year-old Willie Bonner died October 16 after a robotic arm knocked him onto a conveyor belt. The equipment crushed the army veteran.

The family of Willie Bonner says “accepting the way he tragically lost his life is not easy.”

“He was just that father that you would always want,” daughter Ronique Brown said. “His smile when he walked in the room just brightened up everybody’s day.”

The family is looking for more clarity about how he died.

Bonner’s sister, Ruby Young, also spoke. “The family is really going thru something right now because he went to earn a living and he never came home– why?” Young asked.

His family says they made several attempts to reach out to Nichiha, but so far their calls have gone unanswered.

41NBC also reached out to Nichiha to find out why they have yet to contact the family, but we were unable to reach anyone.

The family will lay Mr. Bonner to rest on Saturday in a private service.

Stewart says that OSHA is investigating the incident.