Jacob Taylor Dies After Collapsing While Delivering Mail in Dallas Heat
By Steven DialPublished June 25, 2025 4:51pm CDTFOX 4
Jacob Taylor Dies After Collapsing While Delivering Mail in Dallas Heat
A Dallas letter carrier collapsed and died while on duty over the weekend. The incident has prompted renewed concern among postal workers about safety measures against extreme heat, recalling the 2023 death of Eugene Gates.
The Brief
A 51-year-old Dallas letter carrier, Jacob Taylor, died over the weekend after collapsing on his assigned delivery route.
Cause of death is pending autopsy results.
The National Association of Letter Carriers is expressing worry that his death might be linked to the job due to the similarity to a previous incident.
DALLAS – A Dallas letter carrier died over the weekend while performing his duties.
The death of 51-year-old Jacob Taylor marks just two years after Eugene Gates, another letter carrier, succumbed to heat exhaustion.
Dallas Letter Carrier Death
Jacob Taylor
Information Currently Available:
A union representative informed FOX 4 that Taylor experienced a medical episode while working in the Dallas Medical District on Saturday. He was transported to the hospital but did not survive.
Although the official cause remains undetermined, the high temperatures recorded that day reached 94 degrees.
As a result, Taylor’s passing was addressed by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) during a Tuesday congressional session focused on postal worker safety protections.
“While the circumstances are still being examined, it’s a deeply sad loss. It again serves as a stark reminder of the dangers letter carriers encounter daily, including crime, physical altercations, extreme thermal conditions, and challenges with aging postal equipment and other contributing factors,” stated NALC President Brian Renfroe.
Jacob Taylor
Kimetra Lewis, who leads the local NALC chapter, did not have a personal connection with Taylor but was tasked with notifying his work site about his passing on Monday.
She mentioned that Taylor had dedicated 28 years to the United States Postal Service (USPS) and was temporarily substituting for a colleague when the incident occurred.
Pending Information:
Taylor’s autopsy findings are still pending, so the reason for his death is not yet known.
Statements Regarding the Incident:
“This situation is under review by the Postal Service, and we cannot provide further details at this moment,” USPS indicated in a formal announcement.
Taylor’s family released some personal photographs but requested respect for their privacy. They mentioned that his funeral arrangements are scheduled for later this week.
Lewis hopes that Taylor’s death was not related to the heat, as she understands the trauma from the previous death two years ago.
“When unfortunate events occur, you don’t anticipate them happening again,” she expressed.
Eugene Gates’ 2023 Death
Background Information:
Eugene Gates Jr. was a letter carrier employed by the USPS for nearly four decades.
The 66-year-old collapsed in June 2023 while performing his duties in the Lakewood section of Dallas.
It was one of the most sweltering afternoons of the season with heat index readings significantly exceeding 110 degrees and heightened humidity levels.
The resident arrived to find him and attempted rescue efforts, but it was too late. Gates was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
An examination after death confirmed that his death was due to a combination of heat exposure and pre-existing heart issues.
Statements Regarding the Previous Incident:
Lewis formed a friendship with Gates’ widow following his death.
“And when I received the news about JT, I felt genuine sorrow for her because remembering this event would stir up painful recollections for her,” she explained.
Eugene Gates Jr.
Additional Context:
Following Gates’ death, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) imposed penalties on the USPS for insufficient safeguards against extreme thermal conditions.
Lewis stated that an appeal against this decision is ongoing and the matter is currently in legal proceedings.
The union is now advocating for USPS to permit letter carriers to begin their shifts earlier to avoid the peak temperatures.
slideshow
Postmaster General Announces Adjusted Hours After Dallas Postal Worker Heat-Related Death
One week after Dallas letter carrier Eugene Gates Jr. collapsed during his delivery rounds and later died, the USPS has announced adjusted work schedules for Texas stations.
“They did comply by allowing personnel to start earlier where we submitted formal complaints, but there are instances where, despite our success, they reverted to later start times. It remains a persistent challenge,” Lewis mentioned.
She encourages workers to utilize extended breaks when needed due to the heat. However, she notes many feel constrained by time quotas.
“If it takes you more time, it takes you more time. Show understanding. Such occurrences happen occasionally, but generally they do not,” she advised.
The Source: The details in this story are drawn from official statements from the USPS, representatives from the local postal union, the family of the deceased, and a congressional hearing on safety provisions for postal employees.
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