Family of DPW worker who died from "preventable" overheating call for swift investigation

BALTIMORE -- The family of a DPW worker who died from overheating while on the job addressed the public Monday, calling for a swift investigation into what they say was a preventable incident.

Attorney Thiru Vignarajah, who was a candidate in the Baltimore City mayoral race, is representing the family of 36-year-old Ronald Silver II. 

Silver collapsed along Guilford Avenue on August 2 and later died at the hospital, according to DPW officials. Baltimore City was under a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert that day due to temperatures that reached 100 degrees with a heat index of around 105 degrees.  

The Medical Examiner said Silver died of hyperthermia, meaning his body overheated.

"What the public already knows, honestly, is that Ronald Silver's death is an absolutely preventable tragedy.  It should never have happened," Vignarajah said. 

Silver's family is making it their top priority for the city council to investigate.

Wearing pictures of him in front of Baltimore City Hall on Monday, Silver's family shared how they are heartbroken, yet furious over his death.

"Ronald was the backbone and heartbeat of our family," said Renee Meredith, Silver's aunt. "He was taken from us long before his time in what was a completely preventable death."

Vignarajah said the family acknowledges the city and state investigations are looking into Silver's death, but wants public, investigative city council hearings to look into DPW.

The family wants these hearings to start this week or next.

"They don't do our workers any good if we do them in the dead of winter," Vignarajah said. "They need it to happen now to draw attention to the issue and because this family wants answers now."

Vignarajah said a complaint is what put DPW in the spotlight in the first place.

Silver's death came just weeks after two reports from the Baltimore City Office of the Inspector General. One report said DPW failed to provide water and cooling for its workers amid a heatwave. A second report detailed deplorable conditions inside numerous DPW facilities. 

Baltimore City Council members cited last week a culture of bullying and intimidation within the department that they said contributed to the poor working conditions.

Last Tuesday, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore also called for an investigation into the incident. 

City Councilman Antonio Glover, who represents District 13, was one of several city leaders to demand change at DPW following Silver's death.

He told WJZ he's open to public hearings, but adds there's a process to abide by.

"They're still doing an investigation in reference to this matter," Glover said. "We just want to make sure that we're getting all the facts, all the details, before we put things out to the public."

Vignarajah said the family is exploring all legal options, but their priority is getting answers.

"Ronnie, we miss you and love you," Meredith said. "By the time we're done, every worker will be safer because of the mark you have left."

Silver's family is also asking for a city liaison to provide real-time information to the family, according to Vignarajah. He said the family has been hearing a lot of updates about Silver in media reports.

In its latest response to the OIG's investigations, DPW said more than $42 million in facility renovations and improvements are part of the city's Capital Improvement Plan. 

There have also been some short-term fixes made, including installing portable air conditioning units.