Settlement Reached in Deadly St. Marys Building Collapse

Victim's family to receive over $400,000 in wrongful death settlement.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:05pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged construction site object, such as a crumpled steel beam or a pile of broken concrete, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the gritty aftermath of a deadly building collapse.The aftermath of a deadly building collapse exposes the critical need for stronger construction site safety regulations and enforcement.Today in Dayton

A settlement has been reached in connection with a deadly building collapse in St. Marys, Ohio last year that killed one person and injured another. The settlement awards $682,500 to the estate of Christopher Brown, with his mother and father each receiving nearly $224,000. The building's owner, Todd Klosterman, was cited and fined by OSHA for several safety violations related to the incident.

Why it matters

Building collapses can have devastating consequences for victims and their families. This settlement provides some closure and financial compensation, but also raises questions about construction site safety regulations and enforcement, as well as potential criminal liability for negligent building owners.

The details

The building collapse occurred on July 31, 2025 along East Spring Street in St. Marys. Christopher Brown and Kevin Sharp were trapped under the rubble, with Brown being killed and Sharp injured. OSHA cited and fined Klosterman's company, Klosterman Vested Interests LLC, for three 'serious' safety violations after a four-month investigation, including issues with preparatory operations, safety training, and general safety provisions.

  • The building collapse happened on the morning of July 31, 2025.
  • OSHA conducted a four-month investigation following the incident.
  • The settlement was approved by an Auglaize County Probate judge last week.

The players

Christopher Brown

The victim who was killed in the building collapse.

Kevin Sharp

The victim who was injured in the building collapse.

Todd Klosterman

The owner of Klosterman Vested Interests LLC, the company that owned the building that collapsed.

Klosterman Vested Interests LLC

The company that owned the building that collapsed and was cited by OSHA for safety violations.

U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The federal agency that investigated the building collapse and cited the owner for safety violations.

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The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the importance of strict construction site safety regulations and enforcement to prevent future building collapses that can lead to loss of life. While the settlement provides some financial relief for the victim's family, it does not undo the harm caused by this preventable accident.