Excavator in building collapse in police custody

[alp227]

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

The 42-year-old man who was operating the excavator in Wednesday's building collapse in Center City turned himself into police Saturday.

Sean Benschop, from the 4900 Block of N. 7th street, is going to be charged with six counts of involuntary manslaughter, 13 counts of recklessly endangering another person and one count of risking a catastrophe.

He was taken into custody at Central Detectives on N. 21st Street. An arrest warrant had been issued for Benschop and police were seeking him on Saturday.

Blood tests revealed marijuana in Sean Benschop's system at levels that "he was unfit to perform safety-sensitive, job-related duties," according to a toxicology report.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20130608_Source__Machine_operator_in_collapse_to_be_charged.html

[think]

1. On top of the pot he was also on pain medication and had a cast on his arm

from his bicep to his forearm while operating the excavator.

[Laughing Mirror]

7. Would pain medication violate US Dept of Transportation regulations,

which, "forbid the operation of commercial trucks under the influence of any drugs, or with a blood-alcohol level of 0.02 or above," according to article posted.

[secondvariety]

2. Sounds

like the building owner and the scab contractor are as guilty as this douche. Demolishing a four story building literally feet away from an occupied structure. With an unlicensed, pothead operator at the controls. It boggles the mind.

[Demoiselle]

3. Heartbreaking. You're right.

For me, it's a very strong argument for unions.

[happyslug]

4. This is only relevant for the tests were made right after the accident:

The blood tests were conducted shortly after the collapse. They were at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where Benschop was treated for minor injuries.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20130608_Source__Machine_operator_in_collapse_to_be_charged.html#l77fvaITl6sXmoZt.99

In simple terms he was tested right after the accident and thus the toxicology report is relevant.

[NBachers]

5. The building owner and scab contractor will be happy to step aside and let this guy take the blame.

[RobinA]

6. This Raggedy Man

is absolutely the scapegoat in this situation. I've met some individuals who were employed in Philadelphia doing "demolition" and it's very much part of the under the table economy. Where else does somebody with arrests in the double digits get a job? This dude was just trying to work for a living, like he's told to do.