The cousin of a Spaniard’s Bay man fatally injured in a workplace accident is criticizing the decision to dismiss the charge against a Quebec construction company — and wants the Crown to give the case another shot.

In 2021, Pomerleau Inc. was charged with occupational health and safety violations connected to the 2019 death of Gerard Drover, who was working on the construction of the College of the North Atlantic campus in Stephenville.

Drover was struck by an overhead fan while painting the ceiling. He died a few days later of a brain injury.

Marty Gregory, Drover’s cousin, believes Judge Kari Ann Pike made the wrong decision when she dismissed the charge against Pomerleau in Stephenville provincial court on March 17.

“It’s almost like … Gerard is responsible for his own death — which I feel strongly that’s not the case. The responsibility for safety on a site is the responsibility of the prime contractor,” he said in an interview with CBC News.

Drover was employed by Pro Coatings, a Paradise company subcontracted by Pomerleau.

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