Local landscaping company pleads guilty to violating safety regulations that led to worker's death

SEATTLE  -  A local landscaping company pled guilty today to violating worker safety regulations that resulted in the death of a 19-year-old employee.

Pacific Topsoils of Everett faced a criminal charge in connection with serious workplace safety violations that led to the death of Bradley Hogue, 19.

The company pled guilty to Violation of Labor Safety Regulation with Death Resulting.  A judge imposed the maximum fine of $100,000.

On July 7, 2014, Bradley Hogue died while working inside the hopper of a bark blowing truck, when he was struck by a rotating auger.

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries launched an investigation and found several safety violations that endangered workers, including a lack of appropriate training and proper safety procedures.

Prosecutors say, by allowing Hogue to stand in the hopper of the truck while the machinery was operating, the company violated regulations.

A representative of Pacific Topsoils appeared in court and entered a guilty plea on behalf of the company.

Bradley’s parents were there as well, and shared their grief, over the loss of their son.

“We didn't get to see him graduate from college.  Or have his first girlfriend, have his first drink,”  said Bradley’s mother, Deanna Hogue.  “He would've been 21 now.  Our lives are forever changed."

"He was a proud boy,” his father, Alan Hogue told the judge.  “He looked up to his brother who graduated from the U-Dub.  And his brother helped pay his way through college.  So he wanted to do that.  And it cost him his life.  I told him he didn't have to.  He was just too proud.  And that’s what cost him his life.”

Pursuing a criminal case against a company is rare. The State Department of Labor and Industries hasn’t done it in more than 20 years.

“This case showed deliberate disregard for the safety of the workers,” says Tim Church. “This young man should have never been where he was at, and it cost him his life.”

After today’s sentencing, company officials released a statement, saying its deeply saddened by Bradley's death, and has re-doubled efforts to create a safety program it hopes will be a model for the industry.