20-year-old College Hunks worker dies on the job; family claims company put him in harm's way

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A Zephyrhills family is calling for accountability after their 20-year-old son died was struck and killed by a dump truck while on the job.Ismael Coss Jr.

loved ones said his death was avoidable, and now, they want answers.CloseThanks for signing up!Watch for us in your inbox.Subscribe Now8 on Your SideSIGN UP NOWif ( window.



checkSizeClasses && window.checkSizeClasses instanceof Function) {window.checkSizeClasses();}Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw called it "a sobering reminder of how quickly lives can be changed on the road.

"Ismael Coss Jr.'s family said his death would never have happened if he wasn’t put in harm’s way.He was said to be full of life, having plans to serve in the Navy and to marry his high school sweetheart.

"It was like a perfect love story; it almost felt like it was too good to be true,” said Nicole Ortiz, Ismael's fiancée.As he waited to start his military service, Ismael took a job with College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving. His family said as part of a team of movers, he was sometimes asked to place signs promoting the company at local intersections.

Then one day, that simple task took a deadly turn.“It was a car accident, multiple cars,” one caller reported to 911.“There’s somebody laying on the ground in front of me,” another called reported.

‘He asked to be shot’: Polk deputies kill knife-wielding suspect, Judd saysOn Monday, March 17, Tampa Police said the driver of a dump truck failed to stop for traffic at the intersection of north 50th street and MLK Jr. Boulevard in Tampa. According to investigators, the driver changed lanes to try and avoid a crash but slammed into the back of a minivan, killing the driver.

The dump truck then veered onto the grassy shoulder, where Ismael was standing, striking him. His co-workers called 911.“Somebody is out here bleeding out,” he said.

“I’m in College Hunks truck...

. A dumpster truck ran into the back of us.”They also called Ismael’s father, who shares his son’s name.

Ismael Coss Sr. rushed to the scene, but his son was already gone."I see my son, and I'm just imagining what he saw coming from behind when he stepped out of the vehicle to do something that is job asked him to do,” Ismael Coss Sr.

said.Investigative Reporter Brittany Muller asked Coss, “What was that?""They want them to stop at least at three different locations at three different intersections to be able to put in a yard sign for marketing for this company,” Ismael Coss Sr. said.

"They should have safer practices they shouldn't be putting kids at risk for their business,” said Diana Coss, Ismael Coss Jr’s mother.Investigative Reporter Brittany Muller asked, “Did Ismael ever talk about any training or protocols in place by College Hunks?”"Absolutely not,” his father responded. “What he did talk about was how he did not like to do that.

"8 On Your Side contacted College Hunks about the Coss family’s claims. Kelsie Ackman, Chief Legal and Development Officer with the company, shared this statement:Our legal counsel has forwarded to us your request for an on-camera interview regarding the tragic death of our teammate, Ismael Coss. As you know, Ismael’s death is the subject of a pending lawsuit.

As a company, it is our policy not to comment on pending litigation beyond the court filings. Everyone here at College HUNKS has been devastated by the loss of Ismael. Since this terrible accident, our leadership team has been in frequent contact with Ismael’s family to offer our collective condolences and support.

We miss Ismael and continue to keep his family in our thoughts and prayers.Kelsie Ackman, Chief Legal and Development OfficerAnd what about the driver who set off the deadly chain of events? Court records show he was cited previously for careless driving. Investigators said he showed no signs of impairment at the scene, but he was found to be at fault for the accident and issued a citation.

"How does he cause the accident and take two lives, and he goes to the hospital and walks away with a ticket?" Diana Coss questioned.8 On Your Side reached out to the driver’s attorney, and we are waiting to hear back.Attorney Charles Spinner represents the Coss family.

Spinner has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against College Hunks, the dump truck company, and its driver."Our hope with this lawsuit is that this family will find some sense of justice for the loss of their son and some accountability for the tragic loss of a very young and precious life,” Spinner said.No matter how the case plays out, the Coss family and Ismael’s fiancée know it can’t bring back what they have lost.

“He had a future that was going to be so perfect, beautiful," Ortiz said. "We were supposed to have that,” Ortiz said.The Department of Labor said OSHA has launched an investigation into the accident.

8 On Your Side has learned it is against local ordinance to place signs on roadways. For you to do so, you would need a permit. Court records show College Hunks was cited four times for being in violation.

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