Full Notification

Farm/Construction Fatality

Sheriff Richard J Behnke reports that his office is investigating a Farm/Construction fatality that occurred at Sparks Cedarlee Farms in the 59000 block of Gards Prairie Road, Penn Twp, Cass County, MI. The incident occurred on 05-23-2019 at approx. 0934 Hrs.
Emergency Personnel responded to the scene of the incident and found that an employee working on constructing a new storage facility at the farm had been electrocuted. The worker, Rocky Stoner, 19 yrs, Marcellus, MI was moving a metal roof truss with another employee when the incident occurred. Stoner was holding the steel truss while the other employee worked a fork lift to move the truss into position. During this movement, the truss touched a nearby power line, electrocuting Stoner. The other employee immediately called 911 and rendered aid.

Stoner was transported from the scene to Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, Dowagiac. Stoner was unable to be revived and pronounced deceased at the hospital. Penn Twp Fire and Life Care Ambulance assisted at the scene.
The incident remains under investigation at this time.