A man working in tree-trimming has been charged with manslaughter in Minnesota following a tragic incident where a coworker’s head was crushed. The situation occurred in Apple Valley on a Thursday, involving Christopher Boone Crimmins, 34, and Tyler Anthony Lynch, 26. According to a criminal complaint by Dakota County, Crimmins was operating machinery on a truck while Lynch was on the ground cleaning branches.
Authorities responded to reports of an accident and found Lynch severely injured on the ground with significant head trauma. He was declared dead at the scene. The report highlights that Crimmins had been operating a boom, a movable arm on a truck. They were reportedly ‘f—ing around’ with cast shadows.
The criminal complaint notes that Crimmins moved the grapple, part of the boom, unaware that it was nearing Lynch’s head. He allegedly failed to watch the grapple or Lynch, resulting in the grapple crushing his coworker’s head when he opened it.
A witness confirmed seeing the grapple hit Lynch’s head. Officers found blood on the grapple above Lynch. Authorities claim Crimmins acted negligently, creating an ‘unreasonable risk’ of death or serious harm.
Crimmins is charged with second-degree manslaughter, under which he could face a maximum 10-year imprisonment and a $20,000 fine. He is currently held at the Dakota County Jail with bail set at $40,000 without conditions or $20,000 with conditions.