Teenager Dies in St. Augustine Industrial Accident at Pavement Plant

By Thomas Smith
Teenager Dies in St. Augustine Industrial Accident at Pavement Plant Officials have identified 18-year-old Cooper Lyles as the teenager who died in an industrial accident on Dec. 2 at the Traffic Materials Supplier plant in St. Augustine. Lyles graduated from St. Augustine High School in 2024, where he was a standout lacrosse player. He was the team captain and helped lead his team to a district championship. "Cooper was a quiet, thoughtful young man who carved his own path," his obituary stated. "On the field, he always gave his best, supported his teammates, and spoke up when it mattered—with either wisdom or humor." After high school, Lyles decided to take a semester off from college to work at the plant and save money. He planned to start classes in January and pursue a career in Fish and Wildlife. Lyles loved animals, especially his two cats, Gator and Roscoe. Described as "smart, loving, and witty," he is survived by his mother, Aundrea Lyles, his father and stepmother, Jason and Andrea Lyles, his sister Ashlynn Taylor Lyles, and his brother Ethan Lyles. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is investigating his death. Emergency responders arrived at the Traffic Materials Supplier plant on Industrial Drive at 10:40 a.m. and confirmed that Lyles had died at the scene. The sheriff’s office has not released any further details. Traffic Materials Supplier manufactures products used for marking roads, according to its website. The company has not commented on the incident. A memorial service for Lyles was held Sunday at the St. Johns Agricultural Center. Teenager Dies in St. Augustine Industrial Accident at Pavement Plant Officials have identified 18-year-old Cooper Lyles as the teenager who died in an industrial accident on Dec. 2 at the Traffic Materials Supplier plant in St. Augustine. Lyles graduated from St. Augustine High School in 2024, where he was a standout lacrosse player. He was the team captain and helped lead his team to a district championship. "Cooper was a quiet, thoughtful young man who carved his own path," his obituary stated. "On the field, he always gave his best, supported his teammates, and spoke up when it mattered—with either wisdom or humor." After high school, Lyles decided to take a semester off from college to work at the plant and save money. He planned to start classes in January and pursue a career in Fish and Wildlife. Lyles loved animals, especially his two cats, Gator and Roscoe. Described as "smart, loving, and witty," he is survived by his mother, Aundrea Lyles, his father and stepmother, Jason and Andrea Lyles, his sister Ashlynn Taylor Lyles, and his brother Ethan Lyles. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is investigating his death. Emergency responders arrived at the Traffic Materials Supplier plant on Industrial Drive at 10:40 a.m. and confirmed that Lyles had died at the scene. The sheriff’s office has not released any further details. Traffic Materials Supplier manufactures products used for marking roads, according to its website. The company has not commented on the incident. A memorial service for Lyles was held Sunday at the St. Johns Agricultural Center

Officials have identified 18-year-old Cooper Lyles as the teenager who died in an industrial accident on Dec. 2 at the Traffic Materials Supplier plant in St. Augustine.

Lyles graduated from St. Augustine High School in 2024, where he was a standout lacrosse player. He was the team captain and helped lead his team to a district championship.

“Cooper was a quiet, thoughtful young man who carved his own path,” his obituary stated. “On the field, he always gave his best, supported his teammates, and spoke up when it mattered—with either wisdom or humor.”

After high school, Lyles decided to take a semester off from college to work at the plant and save money. He planned to start classes in January and pursue a career in Fish and Wildlife.

Lyles loved animals, especially his two cats, Gator and Roscoe.

Described as “smart, loving, and witty,” he is survived by his mother, Aundrea Lyles, his father and stepmother, Jason and Andrea Lyles, his sister Ashlynn Taylor Lyles, and his brother Ethan Lyles.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is investigating his death. Emergency responders arrived at the Traffic Materials Supplier plant on Industrial Drive at 10:40 a.m. and confirmed that Lyles had died at the scene. The sheriff’s office has not released any further details.

Traffic Materials Supplier manufactures products used for marking roads, according to its website. The company has not commented on the incident.

A memorial service for Lyles was held Sunday at the St. Johns Agricultural Center.

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