BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. – New information from an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) report reveals the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of 45-year-old Sunbok You, the CEO of Hyundai subcontractor SBY America, at a Georgia industrial site in March 2025. Following a thorough investigation, OSHA found that the incident led to fines totaling nearly $10,000 against SBY America for safety violations.
On March 21, You was at the HL-GA Battery Company construction site, engaging with his workers when he attempted to cross the road. Unfortunately, he was struck by a forklift and died as a result of the accident. The report indicated that You was wearing an eye patch and a black vest; however, he did not comply with site safety regulations, which required him to wear a high-visibility green vest.
Witnesses mentioned that the forklift driver, employed by Beyond Iron Construction, was distracted, reportedly using a phone while operating the vehicle. After the incident, the driver left the scene without ensuring You received assistance.
OSHA’s investigation extended to multiple contractors involved at the site, including HL-GA Battery Company and Steel Brothers Development, with all three companies receiving penalties. Beyond Iron Construction faced the most significant fine of $16,550 for failing to protect workers from serious injuries associated with forklift operation. SBY America received a fine of $9,268 for exposing employees to similar hazards, while HL-GA Battery Company incurred a smaller penalty of $1,800 for neglecting to submit necessary accident documentation to OSHA.
This incident marks a disturbing pattern of safety issues at the construction site. Previously, in April 2023, another worker, Victor Gamboa, tragically lost his life due to a severe fall, and a March incident involving a pipe explosion sent another worker to the hospital. Furthermore, in May 2025, 27-year-old Allen Kowalski succumbed to injuries after being struck by a metal frame.
Over the past 16 months, Bryan County EMS records indicate a staggering 53 calls for assistance related to the site, including numerous traumatic injuries stemming from forklift accidents and other hazardous situations. OSHA has initiated at least 15 investigations pertaining to these incidents.
Interestingly, four of the companies under OSHA’s scrutiny had also been named in a search warrant executed by ICE, which led to the detention of 475 workers at the megasite as part of what was described as the largest single-site enforcement operation in ICE’s history. The legal status of Sunbok You remains unverified.
As of now, both SBY America and Beyond Iron Construction are no longer involved in ongoing contracts at the construction site, indicating a shift in management priorities regarding workplace safety amidst these grave incidents. This evolving situation underscores the critical need for rigorous safety protocols in the construction industry, especially in high-stakes environments involved in major infrastructure projects.