Stayton man accused of trying to put co-worker into chipper

KEIZER, Ore. (AP) – Authorities say an employee of an Oregon tree-service company was charged with assault and attempted murder after a co-worker said the man tried to force him into a wood chipper.

The Keizer Police Department says 26-year-old Scott Iverson of Stayton was arrested Friday and booked into jail. Court records don’t list an attorney to speak on his behalf.

Deputy Chief Jeffrey Kuhns says a 22-year-old man told police Thursday he was loading brush into the running wood chipper when Iverson came up from behind. He says Iverson put him in a choke hold and twice tried to send him headfirst into the machine.

Kuhns says another employee saw what was happening and pulled Iverson away. Iverson then left the scene.

The victim told investigators he had no issues with Iverson and doesn’t know why he was attacked.