RSBY NY Builders

Description

Fernando Vanegaz was killed and two other workers were injured when a wall collapsed on them. According to news reports, Michael Weiss, owner of RSBY NY Builders and another company called Park Ave Builders, had hired seven workers with little to no training to demolish a store on Myrtle Avenue. The workers were performing excavation work around an existing cellar and warned Weiss of safety concerns due to the instability of the adjacent walls. They had requested materials necessary to shore up a wall, but Weiss ignored them. The wall collapsed on the three workers, causing Vanegaz to suffer severe injuries from which he died at the scene, including head trauma, head lacerations, broken legs, and cardiac arrest. A second worker suffered a fracture of the lumbar vertebra, a fractured hip and injury to his spine. He has undergone multiple surgeries and continues to have difficulty walking or engaging in physical activity. A third worker also suffered a lumbar vertebra fracture, a fractured nose and skull and orbital area, a crushed face and scalp, a fractured rib and other facial bone fractures. Weiss also allegedly paid another construction company $10,000 to obtain permits from the Department of Buildings because Weiss did not have the proper licenses needed for concrete and demolition work.

Prosecutors

Senior Assistant District Attorney Samantha Magnani; Assistant District Attorney Meredith McGowan