A routine tree removal in Monroe Township turned deadly last Saturday night when a 50-year-old worker was fatally struck by a falling section of trunk at a private residence, according to sheriff’s officials. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and the incident has prompted a multi-agency investigation.
According to a news release reported by WTOL, Monroe County Central Dispatch received a 911 call shortly after 7:05 p.m. last Saturday in the area of Timber Lane near South Dixie Highway. Deputies said three men from the Dayton area had been hired to remove the tree and that crews were cutting the final section, estimated at about 30 feet, when the piece came down and struck the worker.
Local outlets identified the man as a 50-year-old from Springfield, Ohio. As reported by CBS News Detroit, he reportedly tried to grab one of the ropes as the tree descended, and the falling timber struck him in the head. He was taken to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy.
Investigation Underway
Deputies Hunter Chirillo and Brent Thomas and Detective Skyler Riffle are handling the probe, and the sheriff’s office victim services unit and chaplains assisted at the scene, WWJ Newsradio reported. Officials said the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been notified and is participating in the investigation.
What MIOSHA Involvement Means
The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration can open an inspection after a work-related fatality to determine whether workplace safety rules were followed and whether citations are warranted. The agency posts reporting and inspection guidance on its site, MIOSHA. Federal and industry sources note that tree-care work is high risk and that investigations typically focus on training, equipment, and felling procedures, including whether recognized safe practices were followed, according to safety guidance from OSHA.
How to Help
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office at 734-240-7530, authorities said. CBS News Detroit included the number in its report. The sheriff’s office has not released the worker’s name while investigators continue to piece together what happened.
