Exterminator Charged in Man’s Death

A San Jose termite exterminator accused of improperly allowing residents into their fumigated apartments has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a man who died of methyl bromide poisoning.

Patrick John Collins, a licensed pesticide contractor with Termite Specialist in Palo Alto, is expected to turn himself in for arraignment Aug. 17, prosecutor Parker Kelly said.

Collins was charged with the involuntary manslaughter “because we are convinced there was no intent to kill,” San Mateo County Dist. Atty. Jim Fox said.

Gary Barthold, 37, died less than three weeks after returning to his Redwood City apartment. He began to suffer seizures within hours of re-entering the apartment and later slipped into a coma.

A coroner ruled that Barthold’s death was caused by methyl bromide poisoning.

Collins could face four years in prison if convicted of Barthold’s death. He also faces one felony count of violation of state food and agriculture pesticide regulations.

Collins allegedly did not allow enough time for the pesticide to disperse before letting residents in the treated building, Fox said. Residents were allowed to enter their apartments after eight to 10 hours of aeration.