Historic Ruling In New York After Worker Killed In Hudson Valley

A man was killed after a nine-foot-deep trench collapsed, burying him under dirt at a residential construction site in the Hudson Valley.

A Connecticut contractor is indicted in a 2021 trench collapse that took the life of a construction worker in the Hudson Valley.

Connecticut Contractor Indicted In 2021 Death Of Worker Following Trench Collapse At Village Of Mamaroneck Residential Construction Site

On Monday, Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah announced that the director of project development for construction company Lecher Development LLC was indicted following the death of a worker.

A Westchester County Grand Jury indicted 59-year-old Michael Conway, the director of project development of construction company Lecher Development LLC, on charges of criminally negligent homicide, a felony, and reckless endangerment.

“For the first time in Westchester County, we are seeking to hold a contractor accountable for the death of a worker at a construction site that allegedly lacked proper safety measures. My Office will seek justice for the family of Jose Vega and continue to ensure workers’ safety remains a priority across the county to prevent fatalities like this one," DA Rocah said.

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Construction Worker Killed In Westchester County, New York

Rocah alleges the excavation site lacked the safety measures required for any trench deeper than five feet.

Officials allege that Conway directed two workers to dig a trench without proper shoring or cave-in protections in place at a residential construction site on Shore Acres Drive in the Village of Mamaroneck on May 4, 2001.

As the site supervisor, he knew the excavation was in violation of OSHA regulations, which require a trench deeper than five feet to have protections that prevent the walls from caving in, officials allege.

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The nine-foot, unprotected trench collapsed, completely burying Jose Vega under dirt. The 46-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

"OSHA issued civil citations and penalties for this fatal trench collapse. The addition of this criminal enforcement effort by the District Attorney sends an even stronger message that high-hazard industries, such as excavation, must follow safety standards," OSHA Regional Administrator Mendelson said.

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Conway was arrested on Friday and is due back in court next month.