Winsted workplace death under investigation

The McLeod County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a death at S J & F Material Handling in Winsted.

James Edward Charpentier, 37, of Lester Prairie, received fatal injuries at about 4:43 p.m. Thursday (July 17), while in the S J & F parking lot. Communications Sgt. Jen Otto did not release more specific information because the investigation was “still unfolding.”

McLeod County Sheriff Scott Rehmann reportedly told the Herald-Journal Charpentier was struck by racking that fell from a truck. Otto said the Sheriff’s Office is working with the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration to determine the immediate cause of Charpentier’s death.

The Sheriff’s Office will release more information as it becomes available.

(Jorge Sosa is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader. He can be reached at sosa@hutchinsonleader.com)