A construction worker died Monday morning at the recently opened Agua Caliente Cathedral City casino.
Jay Ayers, 41, of Temecula, was fatally injured at 5:20 a.m. at the E. Palm Canyon Drive casino and died at the scene, according to Riverside County coroner’s officials.
“We are handling it as just an accident,” Cathedral City police Commander Julio Luna said.
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians said the worker was from the Raymond Group, a sub-contractor of the Penta Building Group.
“We work extremely hard to prevent a day like this,” Penta President John Cannito said in a statement. “We are doing everything we can to support the family.”
Tribal Chairman Jeff Grubbe added, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues at this extremely difficult time.”
The tribe reported counseling services are available to workers.
The Desert Sun has reached out to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health for comment.
The casino at 68-960 E. Palm Canyon Drive opened Nov. 24 following a year of construction.
It’s the third gaming facility for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians; the others are in Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage.
This is a developing story. See desertsun.com for updates as they become available.
Desert Sun reporter Colin Atagi covers crime, public safety and road and highway safety. He can be reached at colin.atagi@desertsun.com or follow him at @tdscolinatagi. Support local news, subscribe to The Desert Sun.
