OttawaSteven Deans, a longtime supervisor with Best Green Hedges, is charged in the May 2023 death of Nick Chenier. Nick Chenier, 20, was electrocuted while trimming hedges in 2023. His boss is on trialDavid Fraser · CBC News · Posted: Sep 15, 2025 2:26 PM EDT | Last Updated: September 15Nick Chenier, 20, died after hitting a power line hidden in the hedge he was trimming. (Submitted by Alyson Fair)The trial for a man accused of criminal negligence causing death began Monday at the Ontario Court of Justice in Ottawa, more than two years after a worker was electrocuted while trimming a hedge in Manotick.Steven Deans, a longtime supervisor with Best Green Hedges, is charged in the May 2023 death of Nick Chenier. Chenier, 20, was cutting the top of a six metre hedge at a job site on Jean Park Road when his trimmer contacted a 16,000-volt power line. The tool caught fire and Chenier fell. Bystanders and paramedics tried to save him, but he was pronounced dead about an hour later. Crown prosecutors argue Deans failed to identify or warn Chenier about the hazard of the lines. During opening submissions, Crown prosecutor Anne Fitzpatrick said Deans had properly flagged the overhead wires in previous years, but showed “reckless disregard” for Chenier’s safety by directing him to carry out work that could not be done legally, or safely, that close to energized lines. The first witness called was Chenier’s mother, who told court she had dropped off lunch for her son and a coworker on the day of his death. Jennifer Chenier described how her son quickly explained how big of a job he was doing that day before grabbing the sandwiches from her and returning to work.She later saw a post on social media alerting her of someone being hurt trimming hedges, with police later telling her it was her son. The judge-alone trial also heard testimony from a neighbour who tried to save Chenier by performing CPR, and two responding officers. Jennifer Chenier (left) said in a victim impact statement that the death of her son Nick (right) has changed her life forever. (Submitted by Alyson Fair)Three weeks are scheduled for the trial. The Crown has signalled they will be calling 17 witnesses. Dean’s legal counsel, who are expected to make defence submissions after the Crown closes its case, said in a statement their client is confident of a good hearing. “We would urge everyone watching this tragic case unfold to keep an open mind until all the evidence is heard,” wrote Kirstin Macrae. Deans’ criminal trial is not the first litigation over Chenier’s death.In November 2023, the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development brought non-criminal charges against Best Green Hedges, company director Sheldon Bestgreen, and Deans.Bestgreen pleaded guilty to that charge in 2024. Justice of the peace Jennifer Robinson accepted a joint proposal from the Crown and defence to fine Bestgreen $45,000, plus a victim impact surcharge. The total penalty came to about $50,000. Best Green Hedges also faced three charges, including not taking all reasonable precautions to protect a worker. In particular, the ministry claimed the company failed to ensure tools that could conduct electricity were not used near live electrical wires.The company was also charged with failing to warn a worker about hazards and failing to give information to a worker to protect their health and safety.Those charges were withdrawn after prosecutors concluded there was no public interest to pursue them since Bestgreen took personal responsibility.ABOUT THE AUTHORDavid Fraser is an Ottawa-based journalist for CBC News who previously reported in Alberta and Saskatchewan.With files from Guy Quenneville
Criminal trial starts for Ottawa man over hedge-trimming death
