7th death blamed on ’13 Philly building collapse
A seventh death is being linked to a building collapse last year in Philadelphia that killed six others inside a Salvation Army thrift store.
The family of 59-year-old truck driver Danny Johnson says he died three weeks after being pulled from the rubble. A lawsuit filed Tuesday says the trauma exacerbated his heart disease and asthma.
Family lawyer Jeff Goodman says Johnson had a mild heart attack at the scene. He had previously been named one of 13 survivors of the June 2013 collapse.
Two contractors who were demolishing a building next to the thrift store have been charged with third-degree murder on suspicion they ignored warnings that an unsupported brick wall could collapse on the Salvation Army facility.
Lawyers for the contractors and other defendants did not immediately return messages or declined to comment.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.