$30 Million Settlement Reached in Utility Pole Death

A South Carolina family will receive a $30 million settlement following the tragic death of a beloved teacher killed by a falling utility pole, highlighting concerns about aging infrastructure.

At a Glance

Jeunelle Robinson, a 31-year-old social studies teacher, was killed by a falling utility pole in Wagener, South Carolina.
Dominion Energy and Comporium agreed to a $30 million settlement with Robinson’s family.
The incident occurred when a truck snagged a drooping, unused telephone line, causing the pole to break.
The utility poles involved were over 60 years old with no recent maintenance records.
The family plans to create the “Jeunelle Robinson Teacher’s Hope Fund” to support teachers nationwide.

Tragic Incident Sheds Light on Infrastructure Concerns

Last August, a routine lunch break turned fatal for Jeunelle Robinson, a dedicated social studies teacher at Wagener-Salley High School. The 31-year-old educator was struck and killed by a falling utility pole in downtown Wagener, South Carolina. The incident occurred when a passing truck snagged a drooping, unused telephone line, causing the pole to break and launch into the air, striking Robinson.

Surveillance footage captured the horrifying moment as Robinson attempted to dodge the falling pole. Despite her efforts, she was struck and succumbed to her injuries shortly after at the hospital. This tragic event has raised serious questions about the maintenance and safety of utility infrastructure in American communities.

The family of a South Carolina woman struck in the head and killed by a rotting 70-year-old utility pole will get $30 million through a wrongful death settlementhttps://t.co/Ur9175ELEo

— WACH FOX (@wachfox) August 15, 2024

$30 Million Settlement Reached

In response to the devastating loss, Robinson’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Dominion Energy and Comporium, the companies responsible for the utility pole and lines involved in the incident. On Thursday, both companies agreed to a $30 million settlement with the family, avoiding a potentially lengthy court trial.

“We appreciate the leadership of Dominion and Comporium for working with us to ensure Jeunelle’s family would not have to relive this tragedy in court unnecessarily,” Justin Bamberg, the family’s lawyer, said in a statement.

The settlement does not specify how much each company will pay. However, it highlights the significant financial and moral responsibility utility companies bear in maintaining safe infrastructure. Dominion Energy had installed a light on the pole, while Comporium owned the drooping, unused telephone line that initiated the tragic chain of events.

Aging Infrastructure and Safety Concerns

The incident has brought attention to the critical issue of aging utility infrastructure across the United States. The exact age of the poles involved in Robinson’s death is unknown, but they are believed to be over 60 years old. More alarmingly, there were no recent maintenance records for these poles.

This case underscores the urgent need for utility companies to prioritize regular inspections and timely replacements of aging equipment. Ironically, Dominion Energy had announced plans to replace old equipment in Wagener just a month before the incident, a move that came too late for Robinson.

Remembering Jeunelle Robinson

As the legal proceedings conclude, those who knew Robinson remember her for her dedication to her students and her passion for teaching. Her father, Donovan Julian, spoke of her love for her work, stating, “She loved her class. She loved her students.”

In a fitting tribute to Robinson’s memory and profession, her family plans to establish the “Jeunelle Robinson Teacher’s Hope Fund” using the settlement money. This fund will provide much-needed school supplies for teachers across the nation, continuing Robinson’s legacy of supporting education and nurturing young minds.

As this tragic case comes to a close, it serves as a somber reminder of the importance of maintaining critical infrastructure and the devastating consequences when safety measures fall short. The family reportedly hopes this tragedy will serve as a call to action for companies to practice better due diligence with public infrastructure.