Columbus man killed in gravel pit accident

A Columbus resident lost his life in a freak work-related machinery accident at a sand and gravel pit in the Ellinger area on Thursday, Jan. 30.

The pit, located on Rudolph Rd. near Krenek Rd. in Fayette County, claimed the life of 46-year-old Columbus man Reynaldo Barrientos Guerra around 11:30 a.m. that morning, with the Ellinger Volunteer Fire Department, Fayette County Emergency Medical Services and Fayette County Sheriff’s Office all responding on scene.

According to first responders, Barrientos was dead upon arrival, turning rescue efforts into recovery, notifying the Fayette County Office of Emergency Management for aid due to a lack of technical rescue resources “not available locally.”