Hatherill, a cable television splicer, died of carbon monoxide exposure while working in a company owned truck (a Chevrolet Step Van). The truck's undercarriage and exhaust system was in poor condition and exhaust fumes leaked into the truck. An inspection of the truck by industrial hygeniest Rudolph Zoller following the incident revealed that carbon monoxide levels inside the truck after 20 minutes exceeded 3,000 parts per million (ppm), in violation of the OSHA and MIOSHA PEL of 50 ppm. Sargeant Charles Culton of the Michigan State Police said that many of the violations would have been obvious to a layperson. The company had no regular maintenance program for its trucks.
| First | Last | Age | Title | Employer | Injury Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William | Hatherill | 23 | Cable Television Splicer | Jackson Enterprises | Fatality |
| Name | Type | Title | Plea Info. | Conviction Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Jackson | Individual | Owner | Unavailable | Charges dismissed. |
| Crimes Charged: |
Penal Crimes: Involuntary Manslaughter |
Other Crimes: Unavailable | ||
| John Jackson | Individual | General Manager/ Van Owner | Unavailable | Charges dismissed. |
| Crimes Charged: |
Penal Crimes: Involuntary Manslaughter |
Other Crimes: Unavailable | ||
| Patrick Hegedus | Individual | Michigan Foreman/ Supervisor (Hatherill) | Unavailable | Magistrate bound Hegedus over for trial on the involuntary manslaughter charge. The trial court granted defendant's motion to quash information. On appeal, the decision to grant the motion was affirmed on grounds that the OSH Act preempted the criminal prosecution. The Supreme Court of Michigan reversed and remanded finding no OSH Act preemption. On remand, the Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed the circuit court's dismissal of the involuntary manslaughter charges, finding that he owned no duty to the deceased because he was not the employer and did not own the equipment rsponsible for the incident. |
| Crimes Charged: |
Penal Crimes: Involuntary Manslaughter |
Other Crimes: Unavailable | ||