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Tree Trimmer Charged After Hydraulic Grapple Prank Goes Horribly Wrong

Christopher Boone Crimmins, 34, is accused of second-degree manslaughter.

A Minnesota tree trimmer has been charged with killing his co-worker after police say a workplace prank turned deadly. Christopher Boone Crimmins, 34, faces second-degree manslaughter in the death of 26-year-old Tyler Anthony Lynch in Apple Valley. According to a Dakota County criminal complaint, the men were clearing branches Thursday when they began “f---ing around” with a hydraulic, truck-mounted grapple. Crimmins allegedly moved the machine to make its shadow appear to grab Lynch, but was watching the shadows rather than Lynch himself. He reportedly failed to realize the grapple was closing on Lynch’s actual head until it was too late. Police found Lynch “with a large amount of blood around his body and a significant injury to his head,” the Dakota County Attorney’s Office said. A witness also reported seeing the grapple strike or pinch Lynch’s head. Crimmins’ bail was set at $40,000 unconditional or $20,000 with conditions. He is due in court on September 10. If convicted, Crimmins faces up to 10 years in prison.