Submitted by the Office of the Rensselaer County DA
On Monday, July 17th, District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly announced that Anthony Valente, 44, the manager of RJ Valente Gravel Quarry in Grafton, was arraigned in Rensselaer County Court on a single count indictment charging Manslaugher in the Second Degree. The indictment alleges that Anthony Valente acted in a reckless manner which caused the death of Darren Miller, 35, of Poestenkill, who was an employee at the RJ Valente Gravel Quarry.
On October 1st, 2022, Anthony Valente was operating a crane while at the Quarry and was attempting to place a diesel engine in a Caterpillar dump truck when a cable broke off from the crane sending a 285 pound overhaul hook ball plummeting to the ground. The overhaul hook ball struck and killed Mr. Miller who was assisting in replacing the diesel engine into the dump truck.
“The Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the New York State Police, Brunswick Barracks, as well as the investigators and staff attorneys from the United States Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration who have tirelessly and continuously investigated this incident in order to make an indictment possible,” Chief Assistant District Attorney Matthew Hauf explained. “Additionally, we would like to thank Darren Miller’s family for their patience over the last several months as a thorough investigation was conducted.”
Rensselaer County Court Judge Jennifer G. Sober arraigned the defendant. Mr. Valente was remanded to the Rensselaer County Correctional facility after bail was set at $50,000 cash or bond, and $100,000 partial secured bond. No additional court dates have been set.