Sorge died when he was electrocuted by a dump truck that came into contact with overhead power lines. Despite repeated warnings that the electric line needed to be relocated, the company took no action to do so. The foreman continued to instruct drivers to dump beneath the electrical line. James Morrin Jr. directed Sorge to dump the load under the electrical power line. The company had contacted the electric company who informed him the line must be relocated, which would cost about $4,000, and provided the company with the forms to request relocation. On August 9, 2000, the electrical utility inspector and local village building inspector warned James Morrin, Jr. that work should stop until the lines were relocated. Mr. Morrin's brother, Jeff Morrin, had also been notified of the warning. On August 11, Morrin was warned by officials again. Sorge was killed later that day after Morrin directly instructed him to raise the bed of his gravel truck under the power lines.
| First | Last | Age | Title | Employer | Injury Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert | Sorge | 24 | Unavailable | J.A. Morrin Concrete Construction | Fatality |
| Name | Type | Title | Plea Info. | Conviction Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Morrin Jr. | Individual | Foreman | Pleaded guilty to MIOSHA violation causing workers death | For his guilty plea of the MIOSHA labor crime, sentenced to 360 days in jail and 3 years probation. Also required to pay $500 fine, $450 in court costs, $50 to the Crime Victims Rights Fund, and a $100 monthly supervision fee to the Dept of Corrections during 3 years probation. |
| Crimes Charged: |
Penal Crimes: Involuntary Manslaughter |
Other Crimes: Labor Code violation causing death to an employee (Mich. Lab. Code Sec. 408.1035a) | ||
| J.A. Morrin Concrete Construction Co. | Entity | Entity | Pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and MIOSHA violation causing workers death | Ordered to pay the maximum $7,500 fine for the involuntary manslaughter charge. Also ordered to pay $148,593 in restitution, $750 in costs, and $60 to the Crime Victim Rights Fund. Regarding the MIOSHA felony, the corporation received two years probation and monetary fines of $10,350, which includes a $10,000 statutory fine, $300 in court costs, and $50 to the Crime Victim Rights Fund. The corporation was also ordered to pay a $50,000 penalty to MIOSHA, and adhere to all the terms of a MIOSHA settlement agreement. The settlement agreement was entered on July 29, 2002, and provided MIOSHA with tools and ability to closely monitor the company and to help ensure their employees were protected. Key components included: providing notification to MIOSHA not less than 10 calendar days prior to commencing any construction work activity within the State of Michigan for a period of three years; establishing and implementing an ongoing safety and health program; establishing and implementing a structured form to serve as a check-list for inspecting all future worksites prior to commencement of work activity; conducting a hazard assessment of each future work operation to identify specific hazards for a period of 5 years; donating $5,000 to the Safety Council of Northwest Ohio in memory of Robert Sorge, which was to be used for training purposes focused on the hazards of home building, and a plaque memorializing the donation and stating that Robert Sorge lost his life through no fault of his own. |
| Crimes Charged: |
Penal Crimes: Involuntary Manslaughter |
Other Crimes: Labor Code violation causing death to an employee (Mich. Lab. Code Sec. 408.1035a) | ||