Front-loader operator who died in accident identified

The man crushed to death while operating a small front-loader at a construction site last week has been identified as 42-year-old Jesus Samano Rico of Las Vegas.

Rico was operating the machine about 1 p.m. July 26 when he apparently used the control to move the shovel, which then crushed him against the body of the tractor, Clark County Fire Department spokesman Scott Allison said.

The incident happened at the site of the Hustler Topless Bar, 3131 Ponderosa Way, near Dean Martin Drive.

He was taken to University Medical Center, where he died.

The Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration was investigating.