General contractor Harco Construction and one of its supervisors, both facing charges in last year’s fatal construction accident in the Meatpacking district, are directing their fire at one another.
Harco’s construction supervisor, Aflonso Prestia, blames Harco for the accident, which resulted in the death of 22-year-old construction worker Carlos Moncayo, saying the company wouldn’t allow him to fire one of Sky Materials’ foremen, Wilmer Cueva.
Harco intends to “challenge the claim, as well as Mr Prestia’s credibility, as part of its defense,” the New York Post reported.
Both Cueva and his employer, Sky Materials Corp, are also facing charges in the case. They include manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment.
Moncayo was buried in a pit after unstable soil gave way in April of last year at 9-19 9th Avenue, where Aurora Capital Associates and William Gottlieb Real Estate are developing the former site of French bistro Pastis into a Restoration Hardware store.
Prestia and Cueva allegedly failed to shut down the site even after a notice from inspectors warning of the unsafe pit.
Harco’s case will be tried to first. Proceedings will begin May 16. [NY Post] – Ariel Stulberg