Hermilo Pimentel, 41, of Tyler, died when he fell at a construction site in Bullard Friday, Oct. 30.

Pimentel was hanging sheetrock for Cooper Plastering Inc., at a construction site at First Baptist Church in Bullard on F.M. 2493 when he fell about 15 feet through an open hole and hit the floor below at about 8 a.m. One report indicated that he may have been carrying something and did not see the hole.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by Cherokee County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Judge James Morris. It was later determined that Pimentel suffered severe head trauma and was killed instantly.

“He probably just stepped backward into an open hole,” Morris said. “There was at least one other worker up there. The other fellow had his back to him when he fell and ran down to him.”

Co-workers saw that Pimentel was unresponsive and called 911. Bullard Police Chief Gary Don Lewis and the Bullard Police Department, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and the Bullard Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene.

Pimente apparently had a hard hat on and was following required construction site protocol, but it likely fell off at some point during the fall, according to Morris.

“It’s just a very freak, tragic accident,” Morris said.

As a standard procedure, Morris ordered an autopsy with Southeast Texas Forensic Center in Tyler, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration also will investigate the incident.

Bullard First Baptist Church is constructing a family life addition to the facility that will include a gymnasium and additional office space.