Doug Chmiel, a supervisor with the Department of Public Works in Huntington Woods, Mich., was responding to emergency clean up operations at the time of the fatal incident
Credit: GoFundMe
NEED TO KNOW
- Doug Chmiel, a Department of Public Works supervisor for the City of Huntington Woods, died after a tree limb fell on him while he was taking part in clean up operations following a storm
- Chmiel, a veteran, leaves behind a wife and three young children
- Huntington Woods Mayor Bob Paul remembered him as “one of those guys that always had a smile on his face”
A community in Michigan is grieving after a public works employee was fatally struck by a fallen tree limb.
On Saturday, March 14, the City of Huntington Woods announced the death of Doug Chmiel, a supervisor with the Department of Public Works. The city said that Chmiel was responding to emergency clean up operations on the evening of Friday, March 13, following a recent severe windstorm.
“While clearing the road for emergency vehicle access, he was struck by a falling limb,” the city’s news release read. “Emergency crews responded to the scene, and he was transported to Corewell Health William Beaumont Hospital.”
“Tragically, Doug later passed away despite efforts by Huntington Woods Public Safety on scene and Corewell Health Staff,” the statement continued.
ABC affiliate WXYZ reported that Schmiel was 43 years old at the time of his death.
Huntington Woods Mayor Bob Paul told CBS affiliate WWJ that employees from the Department of Public Works were on site when they heard a branch break, and that the “next thing they knew, he was on the ground with the branch on him.”
A GoFundMe created by Michael Taylor, who identified himself as Schmiel’s brother-in-law, stated in the fundraiser that the falling tree limb hit the victim on his head, resulting in a massive brain hemorrhage.
Both the city and the GoFundMe organizer said that Chmiel leaves behind a wife, Dawn, and three kids ages 7, 9 and 12.
“This is a profound loss for the entire Huntington Woods staff and community,” the city’s statement added. “Our employees are the foundation of our organization, and losing a colleague who was dedicated to their work and community is truly heartbreaking.”
According to Taylor, Chmiel was a veteran and served in the Army National Guard.
“Doug was the kind of man who showed up for everyone around him,” Taylor wrote in the GoFundMe. “Doug and Dawn were also active members of Faith Covenant Church in Farmington Hills, where they built deep friendships and a strong community.”
"Doug was one of those guys that always had a smile on his face,” Paul further told WWJ, “as always talking about his kids and what he'd done with his kids over the last weekend, whether it was ice skating or swimming or camping or whatever it was.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The money raised from the GoFundMe will be used to cover funeral and burial expenses and provide support for the family.
“I know his kids loved him, and they still do,” Taylor told WXYZ. “They still want to see him and they're still asking for him sometimes.”
In addition to including Taylor’s GoFundMe in its statement, the City of Huntington Woods said it will provide counseling and support services via its Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to staffers.
Read the full article here
