19-237 Deputies Conduct Death Investigation After Work-Related Accident In Dunedin

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau

Palm Harbor Fire Rescue

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Jacob Schrader (Victim- Deceased)
DOB: 07/16/1998

Tree Impressions of Florida, LLC (Business)
Address: 119 East Virginia Lane, Clearwater

What:
Deputies are conducting a death investigation after a work-related accident in Dunedin.

When:
Deputies responded at about 3:31p.m., on Tuesday, August 27, 2019.

Where:
The incident occurred at a private residence located at 1489 Wetherington Way in Dunedin.

Why/How:
Deputies are conducting a death investigation after a work-related accident in Dunedin.

At about 3:31 p.m., on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, deputies responded to a private residence located at 1489 Wetherington Way in Dunedin, after a tree limb had struck a man in the head.  

When deputies arrived, paramedics from Palm Harbor Fire Rescue advised 21-year-old Jacob Schrader had been taken to Mease Dunedin Hospital for life threatening injuries.

Through the course of the investigation, deputies learned that the company, Tree Impressions of Florida, LLC, was hired by the home owners and permitted to remove a tree from their yard.

Witnesses informed deputies that Schrader was standing at the base of the tree, utilizing a chainsaw to cut the trunk of the tree. As the tree began to fall, Schrader walked into the path of the falling tree, which struck him in the head.

Schrader succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 3:56 p.m. at Mease Dunedin Hospital.

Deputies say Schrader’s death appears accidental in nature.

The home owners were not home at the time of the incident.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was notified of the death investigation. 

Next of kin has been notified.

The investigation continues.