Death Of Worker In Mercer County Prompts Federal Investigation

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — Federal authorities opened an investigation into the death of a Cherry Hill man who died March 1 morning while working on fiber optic lines in Mercer County, police said.

A live power line electrocuted Dean Kitchin, 52, according to the Hamilton Police Division. More: Worker Killed After Being Electrocuted By Live Power Line In Mercer

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating his death.
OSHA investigates all work-related deaths in covered workplaces. The agency has six months to investigate the incident, decide whether to issue citations and release findings.

"The worker was tying up lines from a bucket truck when he came into contact with an energized line," said Leni Fortson, a regional OSHA spokesperson.

Kitchin worked as a lineman for Legacy Fiber, LLC in Maple Shade, according to his obituary.

The Cherry Hill resident spending time with his daughters and coaching their softball teams, his obituary says. Kitchin's hobbies also included hunting, fishing, playing poker and traveling to casinos.
Hamilton police responded to 11 South Gold Dr. on Wednesday for a reported vehicle fire. On arrival, officers found a white bucket truck and a yellow box truck. The Hamilton Fire Department was already on the scene attempting to extinguish the fire when they noticed Kitchin's remains in the fire on top of the box truck, police said.

Law enforcement found no indications of foul play. Officials took him to the Middlesex County Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.