Negligence Led To San Ramon Worksite Death, Prosecutors Say

SAN RAMON, CA — The owner of a Concord-based landscaping company has been charged with two felonies after a fatal worksite death in San Ramon in 2018.

Segundo Collazos, owner of Amazon's Landscaping Company, was charged this week by the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office, prosecutors announced in a news release. A request for comment left at a phone number associated with the business was not immediately returned Thursday.

The charges stem back to the 2018 death of Manuel Peralta, 68, of Antioch while he was working for the company in San Ramon.

The first charge alleges that Collazos allowed Peralta to work in "the danger zone" of a rented tree stump grinder's cutting wheel, which resulted in his death. This practice goes against the manufacturer's recommendations, prosecutors said.

The second charge alleges that Collazos did not properly train Peralta on how to safely use the piece of equipment.

Collazos had a suspended license with the Contractors State License Board at the time of the incident, prosecutors said. The DA's Office investigation began at the state Occupational Safety & Health Bureau of Investigations, which is a division of the Department of Industrial Relations' Division.

The DA's Office reminds the public that they should see whether a contractor is licensed here — or by calling 800-321-2752 — before hiring anyone for residential work. People should also verify that a contractor is insured.