Worker killed in roof collapse at Friendswood HS has been identified by medical examiner

FRIENDSWOOD, Texas (KTRK) -- The building where the roof collapsed at Friendswood High School Tuesday afternoon was about six months away from completed renovations, ABC13 has learned.

The incident that left one worker dead and three others injured is being investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), according to the Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department.

The collapse happened at about 4:30 p.m., and officials said no students or staff members were thankfully around because of summer break.

The construction worker who was killed has been identified by the Galveston County Medical Examiner's Office as Moises Alejandro Morales.

Morales was a 26-year-old from Mexico. Preliminary information suggests he was hit by debris and died of blunt head trauma.

As for the three workers who were taken to a hospital, they came out with minor injuries and are expected to be OK.

The district says the area of the school where the roof collapsed is the auxiliary gym (current boys' gym) near the field house. It is under construction as part of a bond passed in 2020, which included additions and renovations to Friendswood High School.

ABC13 learned renovations began on the building in question back in March 2022. It was just two days ago that the Friendswood ISD Board of Trustees received an update that construction was supposed to be completed in December of this year.

They confirmed ICI Construction Inc. is the general contractor of the project. The company has not returned ABC13's requests for comment.

According to OSHA's records, they've had no violations during inspections dating back to 2014 and have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

ORIGINAL REPORT: 1 dead, 3 hospitalized when Friendswood HS roof collapses during work, officials say

So what went wrong? It could take a while to get some answers. OSHA said they won't be releasing any additional information until their investigation is complete, which could take up to six months.