MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Tony Davis, 62, was driving his city tractor up Corn Tassel Trail on his way to mow some grass.
But just as he turned off of Sam Lions Trail, a dead tree fell out of the yard to his right, hitting the cab of the tractor and seriously injuring him.
Davis was taken to the hospital in Martinsville after the accident, but died from his injuries a short time later.
Noel Francisco says he'll miss his co-worker.
"When I first met him, I didn't know what to think. But, after I was here about a week I dearly loved the guy because he was one that picked at me. Like I said, I cannot say the things that he called me or whatever, but it was all in fun," Francisco said.
The Martinsville Police Department is investigating the accident.
On Wednesday, the department's accident reconstruction team was at the scene.
Davis's supervisor, Jason Biggs, says Davis was an exemplary employee.
"I thought a lot of that guy," Biggs said. "I could always depend on him to get the mowing done."
At the scene Wednesday, there was a hole in the ground where the tree used to be and spray painted markings could still be seen, indicating the tractor's path as it traveled up the road after being hit.
Co-worker Josh Cannaday also mows grass for the Martinsville Public Works Department.
He says incidents like this don't make him worry about his safety.
"Sometimes I think there's dangers out there that I try to be aware of, but some things, you can't predict what's going to happen," Cannaday said.
Co-worker Robin Legus says not having Davis around will be tough.
"He'd pull stunts on everybody and we'd pull stunts on him, but that's how we got through our day," Legus said. "He was a hard worker. He took pride in his work."
Funeral arrangements have not been set yet.