James Brasher, a longtime United Auto Workers (UAW) member and Stellantis employee from St. Clair Shores, Michigan, died in a tragic workplace accident on Saturday, August 1, 2026, while working at the Center Line National Parts Depot. He was 57 years old.
Brasher, a dedicated member of UAW Local 1248 for more than three decades, lost his life after falling approximately 25 feet from a second-story loading bay during a renovation project at the Stellantis Mopar facility. His sudden death has deeply affected his family, coworkers, fellow union members, and the wider Michigan automotive community.
James Brasher, a 57-year-old UAW Local 1248 member and longtime Stellantis employee, died on August 1, 2026, after falling approximately 25 feet from a second-story loading bay at the Center Line National Parts facility in Michigan. Authorities said he suffered fatal head injuries after striking a dumpster below. The incident remains under investigation by MIOSHA and local authorities.
What happened to James Brasher?
According to the Center Line Department of Public Safety, emergency crews responded around 5:30 a.m. on Saturday to the Center Line National Parts Depot, part of Stellantis’ Mopar division.
Investigators said Brasher was helping remove old office furniture and equipment from a second-story loading area as part of an ongoing renovation project.
During the work, he fell through an open loading bay door from an estimated height of 25 feet, landing in a dumpster positioned beneath the loading dock.
Officials said Brasher suffered catastrophic head injuries and died instantly at the scene.
Safety equipment under investigation
Authorities confirmed that Brasher was wearing a safety harness at the time of the accident.
However, Center Line Director of Public Safety Paul Myszenski said the harness was not connected to the required tether, which could have prevented the fatal fall.
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) has opened a formal investigation into the incident to determine exactly how the accident occurred and whether workplace safety regulations were followed.
The Center Line Department of Public Safety is also conducting its own investigation.
A dedicated UAW member for more than 30 years
James Brasher dedicated over three decades of his career to the automotive industry.
He was a respected member of UAW Local 1248, representing workers at Stellantis’ Center Line National Parts Depot. Friends and coworkers remembered him as a dependable employee who took pride in his work and remained committed to the union throughout his career.
At the time of the accident, Brasher was working as a laborer on a renovation project inside a building that previously housed Mopar administrative offices before Stellantis relocated those operations to Auburn Hills.
UAW leaders respond
Following the tragedy, UAW President Shawn Fain and Vice President Rich Boyer, who oversees the Stellantis department, released a joint statement mourning Brasher’s death.
They described him as a longtime union member and emphasized that no worker should lose their life while simply reporting for work.
The statement noted that the union would seek a full accounting of the circumstances surrounding the accident and work to ensure similar incidents do not happen again.
Union leaders also extended condolences to Brasher’s family, loved ones, and fellow members of Local 1248 while pledging ongoing support during their time of grief.
Stellantis offers condolences
Stellantis also released a statement expressing sympathy to Brasher’s family, friends, and coworkers.
The company said employee safety remains its highest priority and confirmed it is cooperating fully with investigators as they examine the circumstances surrounding the fatal workplace accident.
The Center Line facility had previously been sold under a sale-leaseback agreement, though Stellantis continues operating the location while developing its new Metro Detroit Megahub parts distribution center in Van Buren Township.
Workplace safety concerns
Brasher’s death marks another fatal workplace incident involving Stellantis operations in recent years.
It follows previous workplace fatalities involving employees at the Toledo Assembly Complex in 2024 and the Dundee Engine Plant in 2025.
According to MIOSHA, Brasher’s death was at least the 24th workplace fatality recorded in Michigan during 2026, underscoring continuing concerns about workplace safety across industrial job sites.
Investigators are expected to review safety procedures, fall protection measures, employee training, and equipment usage before issuing their final findings.
James Brasher obituary
James Brasher will be remembered as a hardworking union brother, a respected coworker, and a dedicated employee whose career reflected more than thirty years of commitment to Michigan’s automotive industry.
Those who knew him describe a man who believed in honest work, stood beside his fellow union members, and contributed countless years of service to Stellantis and the UAW. His sudden passing has left an immeasurable void among his family, friends, coworkers, and the Local 1248 community.
As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding his death, many hope the lessons learned from this tragedy will strengthen workplace safety protections for all workers.
James Brasher’s memory will live on through those who had the privilege of working alongside him and through the lasting impact of his decades of dedication to his profession.
FAQs
Who was James Brasher?
James Brasher was a 57-year-old Stellantis employee, longtime UAW Local 1248 member, and resident of St. Clair Shores, Michigan, with more than 30 years of union service.
How did James Brasher die?
He died after falling approximately 25 feet from a second-story loading bay while working on a renovation project at Stellantis’ Center Line National Parts Depot on August 1, 2026.
Where did the accident occur?
The fatal workplace accident occurred at the Center Line National Parts facility, part of Stellantis’ Mopar division, in Center Line, Michigan.
Is the incident under investigation?
Yes. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) and the Center Line Department of Public Safety are investigating the fatal workplace accident.