We were saddened to hear Tuesday of the death of local businessman Reuben Cleckler, and our condolences go out to his family.

Cleckler, 83, who owns Cleckler’s Appliances in Clanton, was apparently struck by a pickup truck while trying to unload an appliance. He died at the scene.

Cleckler’s death is, without a doubt, tragic. It is all the more tragic because it marked the second of its kind this month. An 85-year-old Calera woman was killed when a friend apparently struck her with a vehicle while the friend was trying to back her car out of a driveway and went forward instead of in reverse.

In Cleckler’s case, it seems as though the victim was struck while trying to guide an employee that was backing up a vehicle.

We should all try to avoid adding another injury or death to this disturbing list. It’s hot outside. Patience and concentration can understandably run short.

But we should always remember what can happen when safety slips from the top spot on our list of priorities.