A 27-year-old Columbia man was killed Wednesday when he apparently lost control of a riding mower, fell down a steep embankment and became pinned underneath the mower.

Howard County police are investigating what they're calling an accident in the county's Annapolis Junction area, near Jessup, in which Cerelino Baltazar-Avila, 27, of the 8800 block of Tamar Drive, was mowing a commercial property in the 9000 block of Junction Drive.

Baltazar-Avila was working for Premier Lawn Service, based in West Friendship, when police believe he lost control of the mower and fell down a 10-foot embankment.

An employee of a nearby business was on a break at approximately 2 p.m.when the he discovered Baltazar-Avila and called 911, police said.

It is unknown how long Baltazar-Avila had been injured when he was discovered.

Police and Howard County Fire and Rescue workers responded to find Baltazar-Avila pinned beneath a mower, police said.

He was transported by ambulance to Howard County General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 3 p.m.

Police and the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the incident.

This article has been updated and corrected. An earlier version included an incorrect spelling of the victim's name, and an incorrect age, which had been supplied by the county police.

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