Hauser corn maze fined in teen worker’s death

The Incredible Corn Maze in Hauser has been fined $14,000 by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration for the death last October of a Spokane Valley teenage worker who was dressed as a zombie when he slipped beneath a school bus and was crushed.

Jeremy T. McSpadden Jr., 18, died Oct. 10 when he was run over by the converted “zombie slayer” bus that was part of the Halloween attraction.

McSpadden, a West Valley High School senior, ran up to the bus, tripped and fell under the rear wheel, witnesses told investigators.

NW Creative Solutions LLC, which operated the Incredible Corn Maze, was cited for three serious violations, OSHA said:

•Failing to furnish employment and a place of employment free from recognized hazards that caused or were likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees from tripping and being struck or run over by a motor vehicle.

•Failing to ensure that eye and face protective equipment was maintained in usable condition after being shot with paintballs, which obstructed the vision of zombie role-players.

•Failing to train employees how to prevent goggles from fogging or how to clean goggles when paint obstructed their vision when shot at close range with paintballs.

McSpadden was working his first night shift at the corn maze with his cousins and friends. They were paid to portray zombies for visitors to shoot with paintball guns from the bus as it rolled through a cornfield along North Beck Road.

McSpadden lost his footing and fell under the slow-moving bus. His head was caught under a rear wheel and he was killed instantly, authorities said.

NW Creative Solutions LLC is operated by Greenacres resident Suzie Dunn. Dunn did not respond to a request for comment.

The Incredible Corn Maze reopened for a time after McSpadden’s death and then closed early for the season.

The Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office investigated the death and found no crime had been committed.