When a crane accident on New York City's East 91st Street in May 2008 killed two workers, seriously injured a third and caused extensive damage to a nearby building, city residents were understandably alarmed — especially considering that the accident happened less than three months after another crane collapse 40 blocks to the south killed seven people. As The New York Times reported, "[I]t left many New Yorkers pondering an unsettling question: This again?"
The ensuing crackdown resulted in resignations and indictments. In the East 91st Street accident, New York Crane & Equipment Corp. and J.F. Lomma Inc. were indicted along with James Lomma, who owned both companies, and mechanic Tibor Varganyi and were charged with manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault and reckless endangerment. Although the East 51st Street incident also involved a crane from Lomma's company, he was not accused of wrongdoing there.
