A New Jersey landscaper was tragically killed after being pulled into a woodchipper called the “Intimidator” at a cemetery, according to a lawsuit filed by his family. The man, 22-year-old Eonias Mateo-Perez, was reportedly shredded to death when the machine malfunctioned.
Mateo-Perez was working for lawn care company William LaRue Services at Saint Magdalen Cemetery in Flemington in June 2024 when the deadly accident occurred. His estate is now suing Michigan-based equipment company Bandit Industries, claiming the woodchipper was defective and unsafe.
According to the lawsuit, the “Intimidator” lacked proper safety warnings and features, failed to shut off properly, and did not prevent a user from being drawn into the machine. The complaint states that Mateo-Perez was feeding trees into the chipper when it malfunctioned, pulling him into the machine at high speed.
Bandit Industries markets the machine, called the Intimidator 19XPC, as having “the most powerful feed system available on a hand-fed chipper.” Its “Slide Box Feed System” features massive top and bottom feed wheels designed to pull in larger material quickly, generating over 10,000 pounds of pulling power. The company promotes the machine as a way to reduce labor and increase efficiency.
Mateo-Perez’s estate argues that the defective woodchipper violated the New Jersey Product Liability Act, which allows claims for injuries caused by unsafe products. The lawsuit also says Mateo-Perez’s parents, Lucindo Mateo Hernandez and Adelia Perez Lopez, have suffered the loss of their son’s companionship, future support, and incurred medical and funeral expenses.
The case highlights concerns over the safety of high-powered landscaping equipment and the responsibilities of manufacturers to protect users.
Discover more from True News Media
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Were safety checks done regularly.