An investigation is being conducted at a Pinellas Park business after a woman was pronounced dead there Tuesday morning. 

  • Woman struck by front-loader
  • Incident happened at Recycling Services of Florida
  • No charges to be filed

According to Pinellas Park police, Ida Kuhlmann Pacheco, 82, died at the scene after she was struck by a front-loader.

Police and emergency officials responded to Recycling Services of Florida at 3560 126th Avenue North just before noon. 

Officials said Pacheco was a frequent customer and had stopped to drop off recyclables for cash. Friends said she used the cash to help the needy.

"She just constantly wanted to help people," said Pacheco's friend Susan Brunell. "She wanted to do anything for you."

"She'd go to certain people who didn't have much and she'd go out of her way to give them what she could," Brunell went on. "She'd try to find ... she'd even use her scrap money from scrapping her cardboard just to help somebody."

On Tuesday visit, Pacheco stopped to have her vehicle weighed, then got out to unload the materials.

Then, according to police, Pacheco went to the back of the building where a front-loader was working. Police said the operator likely didn't see her and backed over her.

"From what I understand, they are to be in a designated area for those very reasons," said police Sgt. Mike Lynch. "Obviously you have large trucks and machinery moving about on the property. So what I'm told, the customers are supposed to remain in a particular area to do any loading or off loading."

Officials said at first the employee didn't even realize he'd hit Pacheco. He found her when he circled back from dropping off the load his vehicle was carrying. 911 was called, but Pacheco died before reaching the hospital.

Friends like Jeff Thompson were devastated by her death.

"She's perfect," Thompson said. "She's a perfect individual. Oh, no way, this can't be possible, this can't be happening."

Police said there was no barricade or structure blocking people from accessing that part of the facility.

Police added that the incident is being treated as an accident, with no charges expected to be filed.