A routine tree-trimming job in Apple Valley, Minnesota, ended in tragedy when what began as a playful game between two coworkers resulted in a fatal accident. Christopher Boon Cremins, 34, of Minnesota, now faces second-degree manslaughter charges after allegedly causing the death of his 26-year-old colleague from Royalton during work hours.
According to documents filed by the Dakota County Attorney's Office, Cremins was operating a boom lift with hydraulic tree-trimming equipment while his younger coworker, identified as Lynch, worked on the ground collecting branches and tree limbs that had been cut. The incident occurred during midday hours under bright sunlight.
As the two men worked, they noticed that the sun was casting a clear shadow of the hydraulic grapple onto the asphalt road, positioned near the shadow of Lynch standing on the ground. The visual effect apparently prompted the pair to begin playing with the shadows, according to police investigation findings and Cremins' own statements to investigators.
Cremins began maneuvering the hydraulic arm from side to side, attempting to make the shadow of the grapple "capture" the shadow of his coworker walking on the ground. However, while focused entirely on the shadows cast on the pavement rather than the actual equipment, Cremins allegedly failed to notice that the heavy mechanical arm was moving dangerously close to Lynch's head.
When Cremins closed the hydraulic grapple to "catch" the shadow's outline, the heavy industrial equipment struck Lynch's head with tremendous force. Emergency responders who arrived within minutes found the victim on the ground surrounded by a large pool of blood, with severe and critical head trauma. Despite efforts by medical teams at the scene, Lynch was pronounced dead at the location.
Cremins was arrested at the scene by police officers and transported to the Dakota County detention facility, where bail was set at tens of thousands of dollars. He is currently charged with second-degree manslaughter and is scheduled to appear in court in September.
The victim's friends have mourned the loss on social media, where Lynch had frequently shared photos from his high-altitude work and inspirational quotes, describing the devastating loss of a beloved person in a single moment of tragic carelessness.
