By Kari Travis | Echo
Philadelphia-Corruption, criminal behavior and involuntary manslaughter collide in the ongoing investigation of last week's building collapse that took the lives of six and injured 13 others.
(Photograph by Kari Travis)
The compromised building, which stood at the corner of 22nd Street and Market Street in Center City, tumbled down unexpectedly after demolition worker Sean Benschop, 42, improperly operated an excavator while under the influence of marijuana and painkillers.
Prosecutors charged Benschop Saturday with six counts of involuntary manslaughter, 13 counts of reckless endangerment and causing and risking catastrophe.
Benschop is currently being held without bail.
With Benschop now in custody, city officials face questions about how, and why, an operator so unqualified to work was allowed a demolition permit in the first place.
Philadelphia City Council President Darrell L. Clark points to policies that have thus far been too lenient, and insists that changes should be made to restore safety for Philadelphians.
"We have to figure out a way to ensure that this never happens again," Clark said at a Monday press conference. "It is our responsibility. From a legislative perspective, and from the perspective of a regulatory process, we want to make sure that those things are in place and that they will be perfect."
The Philadelphia City Council also announced Monday the formation of a five member committee which will conduct its own investigation.
"For every crisis there is an opportunity," Clark said of the council's investigation. "It will get done."
A grand jury will also investigate events that led up to the tragedy, according to the city's district attorney, R. Seth Williams
