Staff Report

A fatality at the Hyundai Megasite was reported on May 20, according to the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office.

The call was dispatched at 10:54 a.m. Tuesday, and BCSO deputies say they were on the scene minutes later, at approximately 11:02 a.m.

Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America officials have confirmed that this incident happened at the nearby HL-GA battery plant.

The employee, 27-year-old Allen Kowalski from Rothbury, Michigan (identity confirmed by the Bryan County Sheriff’s Department Wednesday morning), died after the load came loose from a forklift and fell on him.

HL-GA Battery Company is not run by Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), despite the facility being located on the Bryan County Megasite.

Phil Lienert, the Lead Communications and Government Affairs Manager at LG Energy Solution, shared the following statement on Tuesday evening:

“HL-GA Battery Company is deeply saddened by the death of a subcontractor employee that took place at our Bryan County construction site on May 20, 2025. We’d like to share our condolences to the subcontractor’s family, friends and colleagues.

The health and safety of our larger team is our highest priority, and we are committed to following all Occupational Industrial Safety and Health Policies. Together with our subcontractor and relevant authorities, we are fully supporting a thorough investigation to determine the root cause of the incident and to help prevent such accidents in the future.”

No foul play is suspected. This incident is currently under investigation.

This incident comes nearly two months after a similar accident in March at the same battery plant, in which a contracted employee died in a forklift accident.