DEBARY, FL (WCMH/AP) – A construction worker in Florida has been arrested after authorities say he buried his boss in dirt using a front-end loader.
Citing an arrest report, the Orlando Sentinel reports 32-year-old Erick Cox of Sanford was charged Wednesday with aggravated battery.
Witnesses say Cox was arguing with 57-year-old Perry Byrd of Orlando at a construction site in DeBary when Cox dumped two loads of dirt onto Byrd, pinning him to the ground.
The report says Cox then began hitting Byrd in the head with a 6-foot aluminum level. Byrd was knocked unconscious.
NBC affiliate WESH-TV obtained the frantic 911 calls made by other workers.
Dispatcher: “He hit him with what?”
Caller 1: “A loader. Somebody tried to kill him on my job. Please send somebody out here. He ran him over and covered him up with dirt! Send somebody out there, please!”
Caller 2: “Please hurry somebody come out here, he just hit him with a level and is about to kill him,” another worker is heard telling a dispatcher on a 911 call.
Cox told investigators Byrd had threatened him and he accidentally buried Byrd’s leg in dirt while reaching for his keys.
It’s unclear whether Cox has an attorney.
The victim suffered severe trauma, WESH-TV reports, including a 4-inch gash to his head. He is still recovering at a hospital.The Associated Press contributed to this report.What others are clicking on: