ACWORTH, GA — A Marietta tree trimming company has been fined thousands after a worker dies in an accident earlier this year.

A U.S. Department of Labor investigation found a Marietta tree trimming contractor, Serious Tree Services, could have prevented the fatal injuries of 38-year-old Marvin Reyes. Reyes was electrocuted when his stabilizing line equipment made contact with a residential power line while they were trimming the lower branches of a 60-foot-tall tree. The incident happened in a residential area near Lake Allatoona on May 20, 2024.

OSHA issued four serious violations and proposed $29,035 in penalties for Serious Tree Services for placing Reyes in a lethally dangerous situation.

“Serious Tree Services failed to meet their obligation to protect workers by adhering to industry safety standards, resulting in a preventable tragedy,” said OSHA Area Director Jeffery Stawowy in Atlanta-West. “Employers must prioritize training and hazard prevention to avoid such devastating outcomes. This incident highlights the severe consequences of neglecting workplace safety.”