Coroner’s office identifies Braun Northwest employee killed in a workplace accident on Aug. 2 

L&I investigation is underway, agency confirms 

By Emily Fitzgerald / emily@chronline.com 
Posted 8/29/24

The Lewis County Coroner’s Office has released the name of the Braun Northwest Inc. worker who was struck and killed by another employee while working under a vehicle earlier this month. 

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Coroner’s office identifies Braun Northwest employee killed in a workplace accident on Aug. 2 

L&I investigation is underway, agency confirms 

Posted

Editor's note: This article was updated at about 1:10 p.m. on Sept. 4 to correct information about the ongoing L&I investigation. 

The Lewis County Coroner’s Office has released the name of the Braun Northwest Inc. worker who was struck and killed by another employee while working under a vehicle earlier this month. 

Karl J. Keller II, 61, of Chehalis, died of blunt force trauma and his manner of death was accidental, according to the coroner’s office. 

The incident occurred the morning of Friday, Aug. 2, at the ambulance manufacturer and medical supply store’s headquarters at 150 Northstar Road in Chehalis. 

“There was an incident involving two employees, one was under a vehicle while the other did not know and unfortunately ran him over,” Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Special Services Chief Gabriel Frase told a Chronicle reporter at the scene. 



The Washington state Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) Division of Occupational Safety & Health (DOSH) is investigating the incident, an employee confirmed Thursday. 

The investigation focuses on finding compliance with safety laws and issuing citations if investigators find that those safety laws were violated. 

The evaluation could take up to six months to complete, according to L&I. 

“We are heartbroken by this event and are committed to working closely with Labor and Industries, as well as the sheriff's office, to fully understand what happened,” Braun Northwest Inc. owner John Braun said the day of the incident. “Our prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to the family and loved ones. Our thoughts are also with the coworkers who are deeply affected by this loss, and we stand together to support each other during this incredibly difficult time.”