JOHNSTOWN — He had kicked drugs and was finding fulfillment helping others battle addiction. He was enjoying life as a father. He loved his job.

Things had finally turned Christopher Diaz's way.

But his future full of promise and potential was cut short last week in a tragic workplace accident.

The 30-year-old Butler man was killed Thursday morning when he was electrocuted at a sewer line installation site in Johnstown, authorities said.

“He had gotten his life together and he was happy,” Diaz's mother, Deborah Busin of Evans City, said Monday.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the death, which has been ruled accidental, said Johnstown police Capt. Chad Miller.

Diaz was “leaning against” a hydraulic forklift that came in contact with overhead power lines about 10:30 a.m. at DuPont Street and Coleman Avenue, Miller said.

Two other co-workers suffered non-fatal injuries when they also were electrocuted trying to pull Diaz from the forklift.

Police said an ambulance crew attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Diaz when they got there. He was reportedly taken to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown where he was pronounced dead about 11 a.m.

An autopsy was performed Friday and determined he died of electrocution.

The names and conditions of the other workers were not known.

Diaz was employed by Insight Pipe Contracting of Lancaster Township, Butler County as a laborer. He was part of a crew that was working on a years-long project of the Johnstown Redevelopment Authority to replace the city's sewer lines.

“He loved his job,” Busin said, referring to her son. “He loved the men he was with. He loved his boss.

“He was struggling to get a decent job, with just his high school degree; one that he could make a living at. And he found it.”

An official at Insight Pipe said the company was ”deeply saddened” by the accident and is “fully cooperating” with the OSHA investigation.

“We are devastated by the loss of a co-worker and at this time our thoughts and prayers are with all of our employees involved and their families,” Diane Reiber, the company's administrative manager, said by email Monday.

The company is a full service contractor that specializes in the maintenance and trenchless rehabilitation of underground utilities, according to its website.

An OSHA spokesman said the agency has six months to complete its investigation.

Diaz was a big Pittsburgh Penguins fan. Among his favorite hobbies were fishing and weight lifting and working out at the gym.

But the love of his life, his family said, was his 6-year-old son, Logan. The boy lived with his mother but Diaz would visit him on weekends, and whenever he could.

One hidden talent Diaz came to realize was that of a motivational speaker and role model to others fighting substance abuse and addiction.

He knew of what he spoke. He fought his own drug demons.

“He was clean for three years,” Busin said.

Diaz relished his drug-free lifestyle so much that he wanted to help others achieve that same sense of freedom, said his stepfather, David Busin.

“He devoted his life to helping other people,” David said.

Diaz sought out opportunities to speak at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, which he particularly found rewarding and helpful over the years, according to his family.

“Addiction is the same for alcohol,” Deborah said, “as it is for drugs.”

He spoke frequently at Butler Memorial Hospital during meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, and occasionally at meetings of Narcotics Anonymous.

His speaking engagements sometimes took him out of the county, such as to New Castle.

“He was real happy,” said Deborah. “He told me, 'I'm making a difference.'”

Deborah and David Busin, who lost their 9-year-old daughter to a brain tumor in 2009, said their faith will get them through their most recent heartbreak.

“It's all God,” Deborah said. “God gets you through everything.”

Funeral services for Diaz will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Sepulcher Roman Catholic Church in Middlesex Township.