A man accidentally killed his girlfriend's toddler after trying to perform a wrestling move with the baby on his shoulders, police say.

Brandon Hoffman, 20, intended to land 18-month-old Bryson Shoemaker on a bed when he mimicked The Undertaker's move titled 'The Last Ride' at home in Jersey Shore on Wednesday, officers reported.

But the little boy was slammed onto the floor suffering a broken neck and a collapsed lung.

Tragic: 18-month-old Bryson Shoemaker broke his neck when his mothers boyfriend 'accidentally' slammed him onto the ground while performing a wrestling move at home in Jersey Shore

He was pronounced dead in the hospital.

Hoffman, who was looking after Bryson while the boy's mother was working, said he drove him to hospital instead of calling 911 because he feared getting in trouble.

Initially he told officers the injury occurred when he threw Bryson in the air and did not catch him.

Eventually he described performing wrestling moves with the child, and admitted he had earlier performed another wrestling move that also involved dropping Bryson onto the bed, authorities said.

He was charged with involuntary manslaughter on Wednesday, endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault and other offenses.

His bail was set at $150,000.