Family Seeks Improved Rural Infrastructure Following Tragic Incident
A tragic incident in a small South Carolina town has prompted the family of a 31-year-old teacher to demand better rural infrastructure. The incident occurred last week when Jeunelle Robinson, a teacher, lost her life after being struck by a falling utility pole. The family asserts that the inadequate infrastructure played a role in this avoidable tragedy.
On August 23rd, during her lunch break, Jeunelle Robinson was walking along a Main Street intersection in Wagener when a tractor-trailer accidentally caught overhead power lines. This mishap led to multiple utility poles collapsing, with one of them striking Robinson so forcefully that she succumbed to her injuries later that day at a hospital.
The attorney representing Robinson’s family stated on Tuesday that the wooden pole would not have fallen so easily if utility companies had properly maintained equipment in the rural community, similar to their practices in urban areas. Wagener, with a population of around 600 people and situated about 35 miles southwest of Columbia, the state capital, was the location of this unfortunate incident.
State Representative Justin Bamberg, also an attorney for the family, revealed that the leaning utility poles in Wagener had deteriorated over time. In a video shared during a news conference, Wagener’s Mayor Michael Miller recognized a bottle cap that he had affixed to one of the fallen poles when he was a young boy.
Bamberg emphasized that this incident brings attention to the unfortunate consequences of lacking investments from businesses that rural residents depend on for essentials like electricity. “The utter and complete failure from a lot of people who have more money than the state of South Carolina took her,” he lamented.
The entities responsible for overseeing the utility poles at the intersection remain unclear. Dominion Energy, which serves parts of the area, recently announced a power line project acknowledging the need for replacing some electricity equipment that had been in service for 60 years.
Despite attempts to gather information, Dominion Energy SC did not respond to inquiries for additional details.
State Senator Brad Hutto pledged to scrutinize utility regulations when the legislative session commences in January. His focus is on ensuring that companies report the outcomes of their inspections and that a state agency monitors the actions taken to address any identified issues.
Bamberg has put forth a request for utility companies to invest $20 million in local power infrastructure. Additionally, he is seeking $100 million in compensation for the Robinson family’s pain and suffering. His proposals also include establishing a $10 million fund for an annual scholarship benefiting college students pursuing careers in public education.
Jeunelle Robinson’s father conveyed that her name, meaning “young girl,” reflects the youthfulness and vitality that touched everyone she encountered, particularly her students. He affirmed, “She wasn’t a quitter. She loved those kids,” emphasizing her dedication to her role as an educator.