Philly Crane Operator Was on Drugs: Reports

42-year-old expected to be charged with involuntary manslaughter
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 7, 2013 5:50 PM CDT
Philly Crane Operator Had Drugs in System: Reports
A Salvation Army Thrift store is demolished in the aftermath of a building collapse Thursday.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

The crane operator at the controls in Philadelphia's deadly building collapse shouldn't have been anywhere near a crane, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer. It cites a toxicology report showing 42-year-old Sean Benschop had enough marijuana in his system to render him "unfit to perform safety-sensitive, job-related duties." A CNN source says he also tested positive for an unspecified type of pain medication. Six people were killed in the accident, and Benschop is expected to be charged with six counts of involuntary manslaughter. He has 11 previous arrests on his record, including some for drugs, reports the Inquirer. (More Philadelphia stories.)

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