Columbia man dies in industrial accident in Annapolis Junction

Please note the following corrections in the attached release, which was issued yesterday.


Corrected:
Spelling of first name of victim is Celerino
Spelling of last name of victim is Baltazar-Avila
Age of victim is 27

Thank you,
Elizabeth Schroen
Office of Public Affairs
Howard County Police
410-313-2236


NEWS RELEASE
HOWARD COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF POLICE
OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
For release: Aug. 12, 2009 Contact: Sherry Llewellyn
Elizabeth Schroen
410-313-2236
Columbia man dies in industrial accident in Annapolis Junction

Victim fell down hill and became trapped under lawn mower Howard County police are investigating an industrial accident in Annapolis Junction where a Columbia man working for a landscaping company died. Cerelino Valtazar, 26, of the 8800 block of Tamar Drive in Columbia, was mowing a commercial property in the 9000 block of Junction Drive in Annapolis Junction when police believe he lost control of a lawn mower and fell down a steep embankment about 10 feet. Valtazar was working for Premier Lawn Service, based in West Friendship.

An employee of a nearby business was on break at approximately 2 p.m. when
he discovered Valtazar and called 911. It is unknown how long Valtazar had
been injured when he was discovered.

Police and Fire & Rescue responded to find Valtazar pinned beneath a riding
mower. Valtazar was transported by ambulance to Howard County General
Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 3 p.m.

Police and the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Administration are
investigating the incident.