Criminal negligence isn't found in death of man hit by light pole

Posted to: News Norfolk
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By Michelle Washington
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 15, 2010

NORFOLK

The death of a dock foreman killed by a falling light pole at Norfolk International Terminals was "a tragic incident" but not the result of criminal negligence, the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office has decided.

David B. Weiland, 43, died Dec. 22 when a machine used to move shipping containers struck a 105-foot light pole that fell on and crushed his car. He worked out of his 1998 Honda Civic at the terminal, doing paperwork in between directing the placement of container deliveries, his family said.

In a letter to Port Authority Police delivered Thursday, Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Brent Johnson wrote that his office would not initiate criminal charges against the operator of the machine, Michael C. Martin II.

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