Contractors face additional charges in connection to the death of a Bronx construction worker in 2019.

The family of Segundo Huertas wiped their tears, reflecting on the job that took their loved one’s life.

“I demand justice for my husband,” Maria Juana Huertas, widow of the construction worker, said Wednesday through a translator.


What You Need To Know

  • Segundo Huertas died in building collapse in 2019

  • Huertas’ wife and family were emotional at a press conference at the Bronx District Attorney’s office Wednesday

  • FDNY say masonry blocks that overloaded the third floor caused building collapse in 2019

  • The defendants are expected back in court in June

The Bronx District Attorney announced new indictments of the contractors involved in the building collapse that killed Huertas. 

“This is the first Bronx case charging manslaughter and criminally negligent in a construction fatality,” Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said.

Clark arraigned three contractors on those charges Tuesday alleging an “unqualified company used fraudulent credentials, ignored oversight requirements and building codes, constructing a dangerously unstable structure.”

“We will hold anyone accountable for putting workers at risk in an already hazardous profession,” Clark said.

Officials say workers were bringing blocks and bricks from the second floor to the third floor while constructing a residential building at 94 East 208 Street in 2019 when the floor gave way, crushing Huertas by thousands of pounds of debris.

Three other workers suffered serious injuries. 

Clark referred to 94 East 208 Street as “a death trap waiting to happen.”

Three contractors, Augustine Adesanmi, Akhlak Choudary and Abazi Okoro, face the most serious charges and a fourth person is charged with fraud.

Huertas’ family wants them all held accountable.

“I’m very thankful for this investigation,” Maria Juana Huertas said.

The lawyer for the contractors told NY1 he did not want to comment, saying everything is still developing.

The defendants are expected back in court in June.