Christopher Boone Crimmins is charged with second-degree manslaughter involving culpable negligence and an unreasonable risk.<\/p>\n
The charge follows the death of Tyler Anthony Lynch, 26, of Royalton.<\/p>\n
Fatal Incident at Apple Valley Worksite<\/h2>\n
Police responded Thursday, Aug. 20, to an Apple Valley worksite after reports of a serious equipment injury.<\/p>\n
Officers found Lynch on the ground near a truck equipped with a hydraulic grapple.<\/p>\n
He had severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.<\/p>\n
According to the criminal complaint, Crimmins and Lynch worked for the same tree-trimming service.<\/p>\n
The crew had arrived in Apple Valley for a scheduled job.<\/p>\n
Crimmins told investigators he drove the truck because he held the required commercial driver’s license.<\/p>\n
He also operated the boom and hydraulic grapple from a seat above the truck.<\/p>\n
Lynch remained on the ground and was cleaning branches from the work area.<\/p>\n
Complaint Describes Shadow Game<\/h2>\n
The complaint says the two men were joking while sunlight created shadows on the street.<\/p>\n
Crimmins allegedly moved the grapple while watching its shadow instead of watching the equipment directly.<\/p>\n
He tried to make the grapple’s shadow appear to grab Lynch’s shadow, the complaint states.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Investigators said Crimmins did not see the grapple moving toward Lynch’s head.<\/p>\n The complaint alleges he then closed the grapple, causing fatal injuries.<\/p>\n A witness told police the grapple moved toward Lynch and struck or pinched his head.<\/p>\n Investigators also reported seeing blood on the grapple above the area where Lynch was found.<\/p>\n Bail was set at $40,000 without conditions or $20,000 with conditions.<\/p>\n Those conditions restrict Crimmins from operating certain heavy equipment requiring a commercial driver’s license.<\/p>\n They also limit travel outside Minnesota without approval and require him to surrender his passport.<\/p>\n Court conditions also prohibit firearms and dangerous weapons and require future court appearances.<\/p>\n As of Tuesday morning, Aug. 25, Crimmins was not listed in the Dakota County Jail.<\/p>\n His next scheduled appearance is an omnibus hearing on Sept. 10 in Dakota County District Court.<\/p>\n Information about Dakota County District Court<\/a> is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.<\/p>\n Minnesota law classifies this offense under the state’s second-degree manslaughter statute<\/a>.<\/p>\n A conviction can bring up to 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine, or both.<\/p>\n The charge is an allegation, and Crimmins is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n![\"Christopher](\"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Christopher-Boone-Crimmins.png\")
Bail and Court Conditions Set<\/h2>\n
Charge Carries Possible 10-Year Sentence<\/h2>\n