Philadelphia operator turns himself in after thrift store collapse

The excavator operator, who might have caused a building to collapse on a Philadelphia thrift store, turned himself in June 9th.

Sean Benschop surrendered himself after the Wednesday collapse that killed six people and injured 13. He faces six counts of involuntary manslaughter, 13 counts of reckless endangerment, and one count of risking a catastrophe, according to ABC News.

Marijuana, codeine and other prescription drugs were found in Benschop’s systems, which may have been a factor for the collapse.

“It is my hope that the harshest level of charges are brought against Sean Benschop and he is punished accordingly,” said Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter.

The Associated Press reports Benschop was using the evacuator when an outer wall of a four-story building the city was tearing down for redevelopment fell on the Salvation Army thrift store.

Benschop has a large criminal record with 11 arrests, with a wide range of charges, and two prison sentences for drug trafficking.

Two survivors have sued the demolition contractor Griffin Campbell for violating safety regulations citing the building was improperly evacuated prior to demolition. They also criticized the building owner for not being able to hire a more qualified contractor.