A Minnesota tree trimmer has been accused of killing his coworker after allegedly crushing his head with a hydraulic grapple.
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The horrific incident unfolded while Christopher Boone Crimmins, 34, was "f—----- around" with 26-year-old Tyler Anthony Lynch at a job site in Apple Valley on August 20.
The Dakota County Attorney's Office has since charged Crimmins with second-degree manslaughter in connection with Lynch's death.
Minnesota Killing Occurred While Coworkers Were Playing Around
Reports state that Crimmins was sitting on top of a boom and operating the hydraulic grapple while Lynch collected tree branches on the ground below.
The coworkers were reportedly playing around when they noticed the sunlight casting shadows of Lynch and the grapple onto the street.
Crimmins allegedly began maneuvering the machine so its shadow appeared to grab the shadow of his coworker.
However, authorities claim Crimmins failed to pay attention to the grapple itself as it moved dangerously close to Lynch.
The grapple then closed around Lynch's head, causing devastating injuries.
Officers responding to the scene found the 26-year-old lying on the ground in a large pool of blood. Authorities later pronounced him dead after he suffered "a significant injury" to his head.
Tree Trimmer Charged With Second-Degree Manslaughter
Authorities said Crimmins and Lynch both worked for a tree-trimming company and had recently arrived at the job site when the incident occurred.
Police arrested Crimmins following Lynch's death and booked him into the Dakota County Jail.
A judge set his bail at $40,000 without conditions or $20,000 with conditions. Crimmins is due back in court on September 10 as the case moves forward.
Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena said in a statement that she sends "my deepest condolences to Mr Lynch's family members and friends, and all those affected by his death".
Lynch regularly shared photos and videos from his tree-trimming work on social media.
Friends and followers have since flooded social media with tributes to the 26-year-old following his tragic death.
"I can tell we lost one of the best. RIP buddy," one user wrote.
Further details surrounding the incident could emerge as the criminal proceedings continue next month.
