Photo: Dakota County Jail
A Minnesota tree-trimming worker has been charged with second-degree manslaughter after allegedly killing his coworker during what authorities describe as on-the-job horseplay. According to a criminal complaint, Christopher Boone Crimmins, 34, was operating a hydraulic grapple on the back of a tree-trimming truck in Apple Valley when he accidentally crushed the head of 26-year-old Tyler Anthony Lynch on Thursday (August 20), while the two were joking around with equipment shadows.
The incident unfolded as Crimmins and Lynch noticed the sunlight casting the shadows of the grapple and Lynch on the pavement. Crimmins admitted to police that he was trying to make the grapple’s shadow appear to grab Lynch's shadow. However, he was not watching Lynch or the actual grapple, and instead closed the machine on Lynch’s head, causing fatal injuries. Lynch was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders, according to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office.
A witness told investigators that the grapple appeared to "hit or pinch" Lynch’s head just before the fatal incident. Crimmins was reportedly the only member of the crew licensed to operate the machinery.
Authorities allege Crimmins created an "unreasonable risk" and "consciously took chances of causing death or great bodily harm," leading to the second-degree manslaughter charge. If convicted, Crimmins faces up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. He is currently being held at the Dakota County Jail, with bail set at $40,000 without conditions or $20,000 with conditions.
Crimmins is scheduled to appear in court on September 10. Authorities continue to investigate the incident.