Philadelphia Building Collapse Leads To Manslaughter Charges

Authorities are planning to file charges against the 42-year-old man that was operating demolition equipment during the collapse of an abandoned apartment building in Philadelphia earlier this week.

A toxicology report confirmed that Sean Benschop was, in fact, high when he was operating the crane involved in the collapse of the building on the corner of 22nd Street and Market in Philadelphia's downtown area.

He also admitted to taking codeine and other prescription drugs earlier in the day.

After learning of the recent development, Mayor Michael Nutter's office told local media that Benschop would be charged with six counts of involuntary manslaughter and one charge of reckless endangerment.

Later, a spokeswoman for the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office reported that no charges were filed just yet.

When the 30-hour search finally subsided, Mayor Nutter and other officials confirmed the death toll and other statistics associated with the incident.

The building collapse left six dead and at 14 more injured when debris and other parts of the four-story structure fell atop an adjacent Salvation Army Thrift Store.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life of the six individuals who perished in the wake of yesterday's building collapse," said the organization. "The passing of these individuals, including two of our employees, will be felt across our entire organization and throughout the community."

The names of the deceased were released later in the week and include: Kimberly Finnegan, Borbor Davis, Anne Bryan, Juanita Harmin, Mary Simpson and Roseline Conteh, according to ABC News.

Benschop is no newcomer to serving time.

Since 1994, Benshop - who also goes by the name Kary Roberts - has been arrested at least 10 times on charges ranging from drug to weapons possession.

He was twice sentenced to prison in the 1990s after a jury found him guilty on drug trafficking charges.