A crane operator is facing felony manslaughter charges from a December 2006 incident in Upland that killed a worker and two motorists.

San Bernardino County District Attorney's Specialized Prosecution Unit filed charges against Joseph Dimaano, 33, of Menifee under Penal Code §192(b) for involuntary manslaughter and Labor Code §6425, for negligent killing of a co-worker. Dimaano was operating a crane the night of Dec. 6, 2006, that was suspending a power pole six feet over a roadway and a few feet off the ground when an 80-year-old motorist slammed into the 75-foot-long pole. The collision killed a lineman who was guiding the other end and the driver, who was killed instantly when the car's roof was sheared off. His wife died several weeks later.

Dimaano, who is scheduled for arraignment April 22, and the deceased co-worker, David Wayne Jenkins, both worked for Pouk and Steinle, which had subcontracted with Southern California Edison to replace power poles in the San Bernardino County town. The D.A.'s office said Dimaano "lost control" of the pole.

Cal/OSHA cited Pouk and Steinle last year for four alleged serious violations and almost $50,000 in proposed penalties in connection with the incident. The Division alleges that the company failed to train new employees on hazards and safety precautions, did not provide traffic-control devices, did not ensure that employees at the site were wearing reflective clothing and the operation did not use tag or restraint lines while hoisting the pole.