Apple Valley Jobsite Death Leads to Manslaughter Charge

Apple Valley (trfnews.i234.me) — A 34-year-old Brainerd man faces a felony manslaughter charge after a fatal tree-trimming incident.

Christopher Boone Crimmins is charged with second-degree manslaughter involving culpable negligence and an unreasonable risk.

The charge follows the death of Tyler Anthony Lynch, 26, of Royalton.

Fatal Incident at Apple Valley Worksite

Police responded Thursday, Aug. 20, to an Apple Valley worksite after reports of a serious equipment injury.

Officers found Lynch on the ground near a truck equipped with a hydraulic grapple.

He had severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the criminal complaint, Crimmins and Lynch worked for the same tree-trimming service.

The crew had arrived in Apple Valley for a scheduled job.

Crimmins told investigators he drove the truck because he held the required commercial driver’s license.

He also operated the boom and hydraulic grapple from a seat above the truck.

Lynch remained on the ground and was cleaning branches from the work area.

The complaint says the two men were joking while sunlight created shadows on the street.

Crimmins allegedly moved the grapple while watching its shadow instead of watching the equipment directly.

He tried to make the grapple’s shadow appear to grab Lynch’s shadow, the complaint states.

Investigators said Crimmins did not see the grapple moving toward Lynch’s head.

The complaint alleges he then closed the grapple, causing fatal injuries.

A witness told police the grapple moved toward Lynch and struck or pinched his head.

Investigators also reported seeing blood on the grapple above the area where Lynch was found.

Bail was set at $40,000 without conditions or $20,000 with conditions.

Those conditions restrict Crimmins from operating certain heavy equipment requiring a commercial driver’s license.

They also limit travel outside Minnesota without approval and require him to surrender his passport.

Court conditions also prohibit firearms and dangerous weapons and require future court appearances.

As of Tuesday morning, Aug. 25, Crimmins was not listed in the Dakota County Jail.

His next scheduled appearance is an omnibus hearing on Sept. 10 in Dakota County District Court.

Information about Dakota County District Court is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

Minnesota law classifies this offense under the state’s second-degree manslaughter statute.

A conviction can bring up to 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both.

The charge is an allegation, and Crimmins is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.