A year later, loved ones remember woman killed in industrial mixer accident

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SANDY — She was a mother, sister, daughter and, according to family, an awesome baker.

Carmen “Jackie” Lindhardt’s life ended a year ago when she fell into an industrial dough mixer while she was working in the bakery of Ream’s Food Store in Sandy.

Friday night, Lindhardt’s family and friends gathered there to remember her life.

“We are missing everything about her, everything. Being with her, talking with her. My kids miss her so much,” said Lindhardt’s sister, Maria Silva.

Silva said the fight for justice for her sister has not been easy. The family is working on a wrongful death lawsuit because they believe the tragedy could have been prevented.

“This took a life because someone was negligent,” she said. “So this has to be fixed.”

Attorney Robert Miner represents the family and said this case presents a lot of unanswered questions. He is working with both Ream’s Food Store and the maker of the mixer, Hobart, to set up a test and recreate the scenario that led to Lindhardt’s death. He hopes that will provide some needed answers.

“It is a question really of the different duties and obligations that the manufacturer has for putting something like this in the mainstream commerce, as opposed to Ream’s obligation as an employer,” Miner said.

Carmen “Jackie” Lindhardt died a year ago when she fell into an industrial dough mixer at the bakery of Ream’s Food Store in Sandy. Friday night, her family and friends gathered to remember her. (KSL TV)

He said the details of what happened with the mixer that day one year ago are still unknown.

“All we know is that she was trapped by the hook and pulled in by the hook, and it was tragic,” Miner said.

Silva said she's now fighting not only for justice, but also for the safety of others.

“We are not going to get her back, but at least we don't want this to happen again,” she said. “I don't want this to happen to another family because it's horrible.”

Ream's closed the bakery portion of the Sandy store on Friday in observance of the anniversary of the tragedy.