A 34-year-old Minnesota tree service worker faces a second-degree manslaughter charge after authorities say he accidentally crushed a co-worker’s head with a hydraulic grapple while trying to line up their shadows on the ground.
Christopher Boone Crimmins of Brainerd was charged Friday in Dakota County District Court with one count of second-degree manslaughter involving culpable negligence.
According to the criminal complaint, Apple Valley police officers were called to a job site around 7 p.m. on Aug. 20 following reports of an injured man and a truck equipped with a hydraulic grapple.
Upon arrival, officers found 26-year-old Tyler Anthony Lynch of Royalton on the ground suffering from severe head trauma. Lynch was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators said both men worked for the same tree trimming service and had recently arrived at the work site. While Lynch gathered fallen branches on the ground, Crimmins operated the truck’s hydraulic grapple.
Crimmins told officers that after noticing the shadows cast on the ground by the equipment and Lynch, he maneuvered the grapple so its shadow appeared to grab Lynch’s shadow.
According to the complaint, Crimmins admitted he was watching the shadows rather than monitoring Lynch or the physical machine before opening and closing the grapple, which struck and crushed Lynch.
“My deepest condolences to Mr. Lynch’s family members and friends, and all those affected by his death,” Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena said in a statement. Keena also credited the Apple Valley Police Department for its investigation into the incident.
Judge Adam Johnson set bail for Crimmins at $40,000 without conditions or $20,000 with conditions. Crimmins remains held in the Dakota County Jail, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 10 at 1:30 p.m. in Hastings.
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