SAN FRANCISCO—On Wednesday, August 29, San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón revealed that Ramiro Pena, 48, of Dublin; Michael Sommer, 41, of Pacifica; Manuel Silao, 59, of Richmond; and L C General Engineering and Construction, Inc. were arrested on August 28 in connection with the workplace death of an employee.
According to a press release from the SFDA’s Office, the victim was killed after being run over by a steamroller that was operated by a fellow employee. The four co-defendants are being charged with one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and three felony violations of the labor code.
“When businesses ignore regulations designed to create safe workplaces, they put their employees and the community at risk,” said District Attorney George Gascón. “The stakes are high, and the volume of construction underway in San Francisco requires these companies to take the precautions necessary to mitigate the risk of injury.”
According to court documents, Sommer, the President of L C General Engineering and Construction, Inc.; Silao, a Project Manager; and Pena, a Foreman, all contributed to permitting a worker, who was not qualified, to operate a heavy roller at the workplace. The employee previously had no experience operating a steamroller and did not receive the proper training to operate the machinery. The employee was operating the machinery at the direction of his employer. The operator lost control of the roller and ran over the victim near the intersection of Vincente Street and 18th Avenue.
Pena’s arraignment occurred on August 29 in Dept. 12.; Sommer’s arraignment occurred on August 30; Silao’s arraignment occurred on September 4; and L C General Engineering and Construction, Inc.’s arraignment is schedule for Friday, September 24.
