MEC&F Expert Engineers : 08/15/17

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

OSHA cited Delair-based Aluminum Shapes LLC for 51 safety and health violations and proposed penalties of $1,922,895

July 21, 2017
Aluminum manufacturing company’s history of safety violations continues,
putting employees at Camden County facility at risk of serious injuries
 
Aluminum Shapes’ 10th inspection since 2011 yields $1.9M in penalties

DELAIR, N.J. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has again cited a Camden County aluminum manufacturing company with a long history of noncompliance with OSHA standards – this time for 51 safety and health violations and proposed penalties of $1,922,895.
OSHA initiated its inspection of Delair-based Aluminum Shapes LLC on Jan. 23, 2017. Since 2011, the agency has inspected the facility eight times, cited the employer for 60 violations and assessed $516,753 in penalties.

During its 2017 inspection, OSHA inspectors learned that two employees were hospitalized as a result of separate workplace incidents. The first incident occurred when employees entered a tank to drain residual sludge containing dehydrated sodium hydroxide, aluminum oxide and decomposed metal. After reporting to their supervisors that they were experiencing chemical burns to their skin and attempting to wash off the chemicals, employees were directed to re-enter the tank, where they suffered further chemical injuries, resulting in the hospitalization of one employee.

The second incident occurred when a machine operator suffered a broken pelvis after being caught between the unguarded moving parts of a metal fabrication machine.

OSHA issued willful citations due the company’s failure to:
  • Provide appropriate personal protective equipment.
  • Conduct air monitoring prior to permit-required confined space entry.
  • Have an attendant during permit-required confined space entry.
  • Complete a required confined space entry permit to identify, evaluate and control hazards in the space.
  • Provide confined space training.
  • Utilize proper Lockout/Tagout (Control of Hazardous Energy) Procedures
  • Provide workers with locks and hardware to lock out equipment being serviced, maintained, or repaired.
  • Lack of specific procedures for the use of blocking devices
  • Utilize group lockout procedures.
  • Train workers in Lockout/Tagout
“Despite its lengthy OSHA history, Aluminum Shapes still does not comply with federal safety and health standards,” said Paula Dixon-Roderick, director of OSHA’s Marlton Area Office. “These hazards leave workers vulnerable to the risk of serious injury and possible death.”
OSHA also cited the company for repeat violations, including fall hazards, lack of stair rails and machine guarding, and electrical hazards. The company also received serious citations for inadequate ladders, inappropriate respiratory and hearing protection, insufficient entry permits, and lack of machine guarding and hazardous chemical training. Other-than-serious violations included the company’s failure to record each injury on its injury log.
“Aluminum Shapes’ extensive list of violations reflects a workplace that does not prioritize worker safety and health,” says Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York. “The company can more effectively protect its workers by implementing a comprehensive safety and health management system.”
The citations can be viewed at: 
https://www.dol.gov/sites/default/files/newsroom/newsreleases/OSHA20170971.pdf
Aluminum Shapes manufactures aluminum parts used by several industries, including distribution, building and construction, transportation, electrical, automotive, machinery and equipment, as well as durable consumer goods. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the nearest OSHA Area Office.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful working conditions for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov









 Aluminum Shapes LLC

Fully Integrated With the Widest Range of Services Available Under One Roof


At Aluminum Shapes, we start the production process by melting scrap and primary ingot to cast billets from seven to sixteen inches in diameter. The billets are then extruded in small, medium, and large presses. At this point, many extruders see their job as done while our value is just beginning.
Shapes punches holes, precision cuts, forms and even welds using over 200 pieces of fabrication equipment. For high volume jobs we use custom machines for optimal efficiency.
All of these services under one roof. One supply chain and one company responsible for all phases of quality and service. For large OEM customers, Shapes employs highly experienced VA VE engineers adept at working with your managers and engineers on cost down projects – die redesign, scrap reduction, handling solutions, and outsource fabrication.
With six (6) high tonnage presses – more than any other North American manufacturer – Shapes can produce and ship over 60 metric tons of extruded aluminum annually in a wide range of press diameters and alloys. Additionally, Shapes has the capacity to cast more than 182 metric tons of aluminum log annually in a wide range of sizes and alloys.
As a fully integrated company, Shapes offers the widest range of production and distribution capabilities in the industry including:
  • Billet Casting
  • Remelt
  • Extrusion
  • Die Support
  • Fabrication
  • Finishings
  • Aluminum Anodizing
  • Engineering Design Support
  • Shipping and Distribution
From its 267,020 square meter, wholly owned state-of-the-art facility, Shapes operates a highly efficient manufacturing and distribution operation with centralized administration, marketing, and customer service. Combined with our on-site engineering staff, technical support and quality assurance procedures, we can provide our customers with more rapid order fulfillment, higher quality, and better on time delivery performance. Backed by these capabilities and significant infrastructure investments over the last decade, Shapes has created one of the most comprehensive soft alloy aluminum extrusion facilities in North America.

OSHA cited Great White Construction Inc., based in Jacksonville, Florida with 14 violations and proposed penalties totaling $1,523,710.







U.S. Department of Labor


Aug. 9, 2017

North Florida Roofing Company Cited Again for Workplace Safety Hazards
OSHA Has Investigated Great White Construction a Dozen Times Since 2012

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has again cited a North Florida roofing contractor for failing to protect its workers from the risks of dangerous falls and other hazards at two St. Augustine work sites.

On Feb. 3, 2017, an OSHA inspector observed employees – without the use of proper fall protection – removing shingles and plywood sheeting from the roof of a multi-story residential structure in the city’s Crescent Beach area. Although the employees wore harnesses, they were not tied off to the rope grabs and roof anchors. After noticing other Great White employees working under similar conditions at a nearby site, a second inspection was initiated immediately as part of OSHA’s regional enforcement program for falls in construction.

OSHA cited Great White Construction Inc., based in Jacksonville, with 14 violations and proposed penalties totaling $1,523,710. Given the employer’s extensive prior history of violations and OSHA’s egregious citation policy, the agency issued 11 separate willful citations for failing to protect employees from fall hazards. OSHA also cited the company for three repeat violations for failing to ensure employees used eye protection while operating nail guns and for ladders used to access roof sites, again exposing employees to fall hazards.

“In the past five years, Great White Construction’s series of willful, serious, and repeat violations has demonstrated indifference towards the safety of their employees,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer. “The company allowed their employees to work without fall protection and made no reasonable effort to eliminate the hazard.”

As a result of these investigations and citations, Great White is now in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program due to high-gravity willful, egregious violations related to fall hazards.

OSHA has investigated Great White 12 times since 2012, and issued 22 citations related to improper fall protection, ladder safety, and eye protection.

Click here and here for the recent citations that OSHA issued to Great White.

Great White specializes in residential and commercial roofing. The company’s workforce consists of approximately 150 employees.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions; obtain compliance assistance; file a complaint; or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities, or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency’s Jacksonville Area Office at 904-232-2895.

Diana Lynn Klankowski, 56, and Kevin Lee Hanson, 47, died, 5 injured in Mississippi River 32-foot pleasure boat crash near Brownsville when the boat hit a concrete pylon near Wildcat Park in southeast Minnesota. Personal flotation devices were on board the boat, but not in use, at the time of the crash








Update: 2 dead, 5 injured in Mississippi River boat crash near Brownsville

personal flotation devices were on board the boat, but not in use, at the time of the crash

 Aug 14, 2017




A second person has died and five others were injured Saturday when a 32-foot boat slammed into a navigational marker on the Mississippi River south of Brownsville, Minn.


The 10-passenger pleasure craft was traveling south about 6 p.m. when it struck the day marker across from Wildcat Campground and boat landing. Authorities reported the “boat’s stern was submerged and the bow went vertical.”


A number of other boaters were nearby and immediately began attempts to retrieve and rescue the victims — none of whom were wearing personal-flotation devices, authorities said.


Diana Lynn Klankowski, 56, of Spring Grove, Minn., was transported to shore by a private craft and pronounced dead at 6:34 p.m. Saturday, according to a joint release by Sheriff John B. Spears of Vernon County, Wis., and Sheriff Mark Inglett of Houston County, Minn.


An autopsy will be performed at the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office in Rochester.


Five others were pulled out of the water immediately after the accident, but a seventh person — Kevin Lee Hanson, 47, of Mabel — could not be found.


After nearly a day of search efforts, Hanson’s body was recovered at 4:27 p.m. Sunday. He was pronounced dead by the Vernon County coroner’s office. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday in Madison.


Authorities identified the injured as:


  • Robert Alf Klankowski, 52, of Spring Grove was taken to Gundersen.
  • Gerald Wayne Ladsten, 57, Spring Grove was taken to Gundersen and released.
  • Tracy Lynn Peterson, 40, of Spring Grove was taken to Gundersen.



Two others were not yet identified Sunday evening — a woman who was transported to the nearest helicopter landing zone by Caledonia Ambulance and flown to Gundersen Health System by Med-Link Air, and a man who was taken to Gundersen by Sparta Ambulance.


Authorities said the required number of personal-flotation devices were on board at the time of the accident, but none was being used.


More than two dozen local, state and federal law-enforcement agencies took part in the recovery and investigation.


The crash remains under investigation by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Vernon County Sheriff’s Office and the Vernon County Coroner’s Office.





==============





August 14, 2017 12:40 PM

(ABC 6 News) -- Authorities searching the Mississippi River for a boater missing in a crash on Saturday that killed one person and injured five others say the missing person has been identified and his body recovered around 4:27 Sunday afternoon.

In an update from the Vernon County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin, authorities identified the missing person as Kevin Lee Hanson, age 47 of Mabel, MN. He was pronounced dead by the Vernon County Coroner's Office with the help of the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office. They say an autopsy is scheduled for Monday, August 14th, in Madison, WI.






Officials also report that Diana Lynn Klankowski, age 56, of Spring Grove, MN was transported to the shore, by a private craft, and pronounced dead at 6:34 PM. She was transported to the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office in Rochester, MN for an autopsy.

Officials say the boating crash occurred Saturday afternoon, August 12, 2017, at approximately 6:00 PM at the Mississippi River, in the town of Bergen, Vernon County, WI, just south of Brownsville, MN.









A 32-foot, 10-passenger pleasure craft was traveling south and struck a concrete navigational marker, or day marker, directly across from the Wildcat Campground and boat landing. The boat’s stern was submerged and the bow went vertical.

Sheriff's officials say seven people were on a boat that crashed.

Gerald Wayne Ladsten, age 57, also of Spring Grove, MN was transported to Gundersen Health System, in La Crosse, by Tri-State Ambulance and later released.

An adult female, whose name will be released at a later time was transported to the nearest helicopter landing zone by Caledonia Ambulance and flown to Gundersen Health System by Med-Link Air.

Robert Alf Klankowski, age 52, of Spring Grove, MN was transported to Gundersen Health System by Tri-State Ambulance.

Tracy Lynn Peterson, age 50, of Spring Grove, MN was transported to Gundersen Health System, by Sparta Ambulance, to Gundersen Health System.

An adult male, whose name will be released at a later time was transported to Gundersen Health System, also by Sparta Ambulance.

The required numbers of personal flotation devices were on board the boat, but not in use, at the time of the crash. Several personal watercrafts were in the area and immediately responded to the crash to rescue the injured, in the water.

At the time of release, the following agencies/organizations responded and assisted with the rescue and recovery efforts:

Houston County Sheriff’s Office, boat patrol, and Sheriff Posse

Brownsville Fire & Rescue

Caledonia Fire & Rescue

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

United States Fish & Wildlife

Stoddard-Bergen Fire Department

Tri-State Ambulance

Med-Link Air

Caledonia Ambulance

La Crosse County Sheriff’s Office boat patrol

La Crosse County Dive Team

La Crescent Fire Department

Town of Shelby Fire Department

Ft. Mc Coy Fire Department (sonar)

La Crosse Police Department boat patrol

Winona County Sheriff’s Office Dive Rescue

Brennan Marine, La Crosse (boat recovery)

Del’s Towing & Transport (boat recovery)

Regional Medical Examiner’s Office of Southern Minnesota

Bruce’s Legacy Search & Rescue

The crash remains under investigation by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Vernon County Coroner’s Office.
=================







Update: Searchers find second body after boat crash
The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
 

Declan Desmond

August 14, 2017


Authorities have found the body of a Minnesota boater who went missing after a crash on the Mississippi River over the weekend.

The victim, who's been identified as 47-year-old Kevin Lee Hanson of Mabel, was one of two people killed in the accident, which happened Saturday when a "32-foot, 10-passenger pleasure craft" hit a concrete pylon near Wildcat Park in southeast Minnesota.

Hanson's body was recovered on Sunday afternoon, according to a statement from the Vernon County Sheriff's Office in Viroqua, Wisconsin.


Authorities have identified the other fatality as 56-year-old Diana Lynn Klankowski of Spring Grove, Minnesota. She was pronounced dead on the shore about half an hour after Saturday's collision.

The boat's five other occupants were all injured in the crash and taken to the hospital; one of them has since been released, but there's no word yet on the current conditions of the other survivors.


The release from the Vernon County sheriff says the watercraft had the "required numbers of personal flotation devices" on board, but they were "not in use" at the time of the crash.

Authorities are still investigating the exact cause of the accident.
Boat crashes in Minnesota

As of July of this year, the state has seen 42 boating accidents, preliminary DNR data says.

That includes nine fatalities. That's already higher than the number of boating deaths that Minnesota normally sees by July, according to statistics from the last several years.

Last year, a total 17 people lost their lives to boating accidents and drownings in the state.

For tips on how to stay safe on the water, check out this link.


78 miles per hour wind blasted the Dalhart Municipal Airport in Texas, destroying one hangar and several planes.












Dalhart Municipal Airport open after severe storm damage



Monday, August 14th 2017, 7:24 pm EDT
By A.J. Stamps, Digital Content Producer





SOURCE: GREG WRIGHT DALHART, TX (KFDA) -

Crews are working to clean up the Dalhart Municipal Airport after severe winds caused massive damage.

Winds reaching up to 78 miles per hour blasted the airport, destroying one hangar and several planes.

Remaining hangars received some damage to the walls and doors, and debris covered the runways.

As of this evening, all debris has been cleared off the runway and the airport is now operational.

The National Weather Service has stated that peak winds reached 100 to 110 miles per hour.

The event has been ruled as a significant downburst wind event.



================


Clean Up Continues After Dalhart Storm Damage


By: Blessing Woksman


Posted: Aug 14, 2017 05:11 PM CDT

Updated: Aug 14, 2017 09:22 PM CDT


DALHART, TEXAS - Straight line winds with speeds of more than 80 mph took their toll on the Dalhart Municipal Airport.

Officials have started the clean-up process of the airport.

Curtis Brown, the Dalhart Fire Chief, said last night when the storm moved west of Dalhart, it damaged eight aircraft and antique cars in those hangers.

   
The storm's effect did not just take place at the airport. Brown told us there was damage at the local country club, power poles were brought down and trees uprooted.

"Right now, we're trying to salvage some aircraft and get the roof off of them," said Brown. "Crews are working real hard."

He added that owners of items at the airport have been contacted.

Brown went on to say security is being run at the airport and no one can go in or out unless they own aircraft there.

If you were a victim of last night's storm that led to damage, Brown said to contact the fire department and or the office of emergency management.

Officials said the FAA and National Weather Service were on site today conducting inspections of the damage.

At this time, we are told the monetary loss is unknown and will remain unknown until well after the clean-up has been completed.

2 People Hospitalized for Possible Electrocution as Wires Come Down in Brooklyn, NY Following Transformer Explosion


2 Hospitalized for Possible Electrocution as Wires Come Down in Brooklyn; Hundreds Without Power




Two people possibly electrocuted by downed wires in Brooklyn overnight were taken to a hospital early Tuesday, officials say.

It's not clear what caused the power lines to come down, but Con Edison said the cause is under investigation. Some patchy bad weather moved through parts of the city overnight, but it's not clear if that had anything to do with the issue.

Con Ed crews were at the scene making repairs through the morning.

Meanwhile, more than 700 customers were without power in the area of Dyker Heights after the 4:20 a.m. incident. That number had dropped to a little over 400 by 8 a.m., and Con Ed said it expected to have power back by 1 p.m.

The extent of the two victims' injuries wasn't immediately clear. They have not been identified, but Con Edison says they are not employed by the utility.



===============


BROOKLYN, NY -

Police say several electrical wires have come down Tuesday causing power loss in several Dyker Heights buildings.

Fire officials say a transformer may have exploded which lead to powerlines being knocked down. They say EMS was called for two people who had possibly been electrocuted.

News 12 is told the victims were taken to Lutheran Hospital. Their conditions are unknown.

According to Con Edison, 701 customers are without power.

They say the power is estimated to be restored by 9:30 a.m.




===========
Two people were electrocuted by downed power lines in Brooklyn, officials said.

The shocking incident happened as the pair were leaving a home on 83rd St. between 10th and 11th avenues around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday.



The downed power lines are believed to have been the result of a transformer explosion, which knocked out power for approximately 700 people.

The two people hurt were rushed to Lutheran Medical Center, officials said. Their conditions are unknown.

Jim and Jeanne Jasa remain in critical condition after a massive natural gas explosion at their home in Lincoln, Nebraska that also damaged 43 other homes







UPDATE: Explosion victims remain in critical condition Posted: Aug 14, 2017 11:46 PM EST Updated: Aug 15, 2017 11:17 AM EST
By Nicole Cousins


UPDATE: The two victims have been identified as Jim and Jeanne Jasa.

A CHI St. Elizabeth Hospital spokesman says they remain in critical condition after a house exploded Monday afternoon.

We bring you more information as the details are released.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A massive explosion rocked a south Lincoln neighborhood off 77th Street and Old Cheney Road Monday afternoon, leaving neighbors in shock, and praying for victims.

"My first thought was a bomb."

"It just sounded like a huge bomb went off."

"I honestly thought a plane crashed."

The home was reduced to rubble in an apparent natural gas explosion.

The two victims inside were severely burned, suffering life threatening injuries.

"The victims apparently were a — were shot out of the home from the explosion,” neighbor Jeff Hoham said.

Hoham was one of the first on scene. His neighbor, who wanted to remain anonymous, administered first aid to the victims, as people emerged from their homes to see the chaos.

"[I’m] praying that they will be okay,” Jeris Oliverius, who felt and saw the explosion as she was driving home along Old Cheney said. “Obviously the scene is just unbelievable, these things just don't happen every day."

The blast was felt as far as a mile away.

It not only leveled the home, but blew out the windows of others, rocking their foundation and spewing debris throughout the neighborhood.

"Things were off the wall, there were other damage inside,” Bill Kuehn who lives less than a block away, said. “It was a really huge explosion."

Neighbors recounted the seconds it happened: First, the sound of a bomb, and then ammunition sounding -- hundreds of rounds firing off from the heat.

"It was just intense flames something I have never felt before,” Hoham said. “The heat that hit me was something I've never felt before."

Lincoln Fire and Rescue said there is no immediate danger to the neighborhood.

Black Hills Energy, Lincoln Electric System, the State Fire Marshal and Red Cross were among the dozens of crews on scene to help monitor and find the source of the explosion.

LFR Battalion Chief Jeremy Gegg said he’s thankful the casualties weren't higher.

"Certainly other bystanders could have been seriously injured or killed,” he said. “There was some large debris that was thrown a long distance."

Officials say upwards of eight homes are unlivable Monday night.

The Red Cross is locating those families who need it.



===============



LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) -- Lincoln Police have confirmed 43 homes have damage following Monday's home explosion.



Of those homes, 19 have structural damage. Damage ranges from cracks to ceilings and walls to completely destroyed. Some houses had windows exploded.

Lincoln Fire and Rescue said three of the homes are currently uninhabitable.

Investigators are on scene working to determine the cause of the home explosion.

Lincoln Fire and Rescue said two people are in the hospital and a CHI St. Elizabeth Hospital Spokesperson confirmed they are in critical condition after what is believed to be a natural gas explosion, though that has not yet been confirmed.

A CHI St. Elizabeth Hospital Spokesperson has confirmed to 1011 News the victims are Jim and Jeanne Jasa.

Firefighters were initially dispatched to 5601 S. 78th Street around 4:30 pm.

LFR said firefighters found one house completely destroyed upon arriving, with debris thrown throughout the neighborhood. They said 7-8 houses were damaged by the incident, and debris was launched as far as 200 feet from the house.

"It just sounded like a bomb went off and the house shook and everything. Then I look down the street and there was just black smoke and I saw all the bricks in that house was gone just obliterated," neighbor Bill Kuehn said.

LFR said on top of the flames and debris, ammunition inside the home started exploding after crews arrived.

Jeff Hoham lives just a few doors down from the now demolished home.

He had just returned from his coaching job at Lincoln East.

When he heard what he described as the sound of a plane crash, he told his son to grab his shoes and they both ran outside when they were met by an off-duty fireman who also lives in the area.

When they arrived on scene, Hoham said they weren't prepared for what they saw.

"I've not seen people burned like that ever, so it was an image that I don't know if I can explain," Hoham said. "But I knew they were hurt and there was intense fire, and I just kept think is there anyone else and you don't think you just react."

LPD and LFR are not releasing the names of the injured people out of respect and so family members can be alerted first.

Authorities said several agencies, including the State Fire Marshal's office and a gas company, stayed on scene investigating until it became too dark.

They urged people to stay behind any barricades to stay safe and let authorities do their jobs.

LFR said they are working to mitigate the situation, but that several streets in the area will be closed for quite some time.

Authorities said several residents will need to be relocated because of the incident.

LFR had to suspend their investigation overnight due to darkness, and so far authorities have not officially declared the cause of the explosion.

Chief Fire Inspector Bill Moody did tell 10/11 that they are going to look at all digging permits for the area over the last six months in an effort to determine the cause.

Dena Hornby lives next door to where the explosion happened. She said she had no idea how bad it was until she got out of her home. "I couldn't believe what I saw. I was in awe."

Lori Feldman lives across the street from the home. She says she watched two of her neighbors leave in an ambulance, "My heart is going out to them and their family. They are such wonderful people."

YOU LIE, YOU LOSE: Injury-faking postal worker Laticha Schroyer pleads guilty to making false statements relating to worker's comp in Dayton’s U.S. District Court.


Postal worker who vacationed while too injured to work pleads guilty




The former West Carrollton postal worker too injured to work but allegedly seen vacationing and riding amusement park rides reached a plea deal Monday with federal prosecutors.

Laticha Schroyer’s trial on counts of theft and false statements related to federal workers’ compensation benefits was to begin Tuesday in Dayton’s U.S. District Court.


Instead, Schroyer, 43, pleaded guilty Monday by bill of information to one count of misdemeanor false statements related to federal workers’ compensation, which ended a case her defense attorney said was “absolutely” overcharged.


The statement of facts read into the record stated that Schroyer — who worked as a postal employee from late 2003 until August 2015 — was not truthful in a July 22, 2015 interview with a special agent from the U.S. Postal Service’s Office of the Inspector General.


“That was the one part of the charges that was just revised in the past month or so, that she was willing to plea to in any form,” said defense attorney Julius Carter, who said Schroyer was adamant that her 2016 medical diagnosis was correct and related to a 2015 injury.


Schroyer’s plea came after 11th-hour plea negotiations stretched from Monday morning into Monday afternoon.


U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Rose scheduled Schroyer’s sentencing for Dec. 15 and ordered a pre-sentence investigation.


Rose said the federal misdemeanor Schroyer is pleading guilty to is punishable by up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, restitution and one year of supervised release.


Defense attorney Anthony VanNoy advised his client that her advisory guideline sentencing range would be zero to six months.


“I think she’s been punished enough,” Carter said, adding that they will advocate for probation or less. “She lost her job for something that she did not plead to.”


The theft of government money count would have been punishable by maximum penalties of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine plus three years of supervised release.


Schroyer, a letter carrier, had claimed she couldn’t sit, stand or walk for more than five or 10 minutes at a time.

But court documents allege Schroyer was seen in airport and amusement park surveillance traveling and riding a ride at Orlando’s Sea World water park.


On May 5, 2015, Schroyer reported to a supervisor that she was injured while attempting to lift a heavy package, according to the indictment.

Two days later, a physician placed her on light duty and Schroyer submitted a claim, alleging she suffered an injury to her right side and pelvic area, documents indicate.


On June 13, 2015, Schroyer and her boyfriend flew from Dayton to Orlando, Fla. Schroyer “had a carry-on bag and walked without assistance through the Dayton International Airport,” the indictment said.


During a week-long vacation, Schroyer went to Aquatica, a water park at Sea World, and rode rides including the HooRoo Run, where she was observed climbing several flights of stairs without assistance or difficulty, according to court documents.

3 people died and 4 others injured following a head-on collision in Medford, LI when Dominick Lopez veered across the yellow lines and collided head-on with a northbound 2016 Nissan Pathfinder

Tuesday, August 15, 2017 06:27AM
MEDFORD, Long Island (WABC) -- Police say three people were killed in a two-vehicle crash on Long Island Monday afternoon.

According to Suffolk County Police, Dominick Lopez was driving his 1995 red Honda Civic south on Station Road in Medford at about 4:25 p.m. when Lopez apparently lost control of his vehicle, crossing the double yellow line and colliding with a northbound 2016 Nissan Pathfinder.

Lopez, 20, of Shirley, and his passenger, Derek Buffa, 23, of Mastic Beach, were ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene.


A rear seat passenger in the Nissan, Aida Cardenas, 67, of, Selden, was pronounced dead at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center.

The driver of the Pathfinder, a 41-year-old-man, and his 33-year-old wife, both of Bellport, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

The couple's 11-year-old son and 1-year-old-son were also treated for non-life-threatening injuries.




=========



MEDFORD, NY — Three people were killed in a multi-vehicle crash Monday afternoon, police said.

Dominick Lopez, 20, lost control of his vehicle and crossed the double yellow line on Station Road in Medford around 4:25 p.m., A Suffolk County Police Department spokesperson. His Honda struck a Nissan Pathfinder.

Lopez and his passenger, 23-year-old Derek Buffa, were ejected from the car and died at the scene, police said.

Aida Cardenas, 67, was also killed in the collision. She was a passenger in the back of the Nissan. She was rushed to the hospital, but Cardenas did not survive her injuries.

Four other passengers in the Nissan – including two children – were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, police officials said. The driver – 41-year-old Hugo Atiencia – and his 33-year-old wife were in the front of the car. The couple’s 1-year-old son and an 11-year-old son were in the back of the car.

Both vehicles were impounded for safety checks.