DiMaano was working with a crew from Pouk & Steinle in December 2006, to install roadside utility poles. As part of the job, he lifted a 75ft pole around 4ft in the air, working parallel to the road. No warnings or barriers were in place while the crew were working, and an elderly couple crashed their car into the pole. Both the driver and passenger were killed, as was one of DiMaano’s colleagues, who was hit by the swinging pole.
DiMaano entered into a plea bargain, pleading no contest to three charges of involuntary manslaughter, a felony offence. He was sentenced to three years probation, and ordered to perform 500 hours of community service. He is likely to fulfil his obligation by helping with safety training courses at his union.
Saying that the plea deal ‘achieves justice’, prosecutor Jim Secord told local newspaper the San Bernardino Sun that DiMaano was a ‘good citizen’, and said, “It was not an intentional crime that he committed.”
