Plumbing company owner charged in connection with fatal Norwich trench collapse

Norwich police said the owner of a plumbing company has been charged in connection with a fatal trench collapse that happened last year.

Police said 51-year-old Amiclar Deandrade, from Preston, was charged with first-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and first-degree reckless endangerment.

The incident happened in June 2025 around 6:15 p.m. First responders were called to the area of Hamilton Court in response to a report of a trench collapse. When they arrived at the scene, they found a trench approximately 90 feet long, 5 feet wide, and 5 feet deep.

Police said the trench had been excavated to connect a private resident’s sewer system to the city’s line.

One of the workers, 60-year-old Norwich resident Michael Dirocco, was found partially buried in the collapsed trench.

First responders worked to free him, and he was rushed to Backus Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead from his injuries.

The Norwich Fire Department, Norwich Police Department, Norwich Public Utilities, and the Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) began a joint investigation into the incident.

Officials said the investigation led to probable cause to charge Deandrade, the owner of the plumbing company, who was present at the job site.

Police got an arrest warrant on Monday, and by Friday evening, Deandrade turned himself in, officials said.

Deandrade was processed on the charges and released on a $50,000 bond.

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