Linemen killed in Chipley: Hurricane Michael force workers crushed by hit-and-run driver, say Florida soldiers



[ad_1]



CHIPLEY, Fla. – Three energy workers were killed after being struck by the driver of a Ford F-150 pulling a UHaul trailer in Washington County, according to the statement. Florida Highway Patrol.

The accident occurred at 6:50 pm Wednesday at the intersection of State Road 77 and Talton Drive at Chipley, a small town north of Panama City. The soldiers said the linemen were working on utility poles in a ditch.

Energy workers were working in Chipley to restore electricity in the heavily affected Panhandle in Florida after Hurricane Michael.

STORY: Florida girls plan to kill 15 students and leave parts of their bodies, police say

The authorities said the driver, 37 John Goedtke, Began traveling on the east side of State Road 77 and collided with the three men of the line.

Washington County Judge Colby Peel has ordered Goedtke to be held without a commitment at his first appearance Thursday. He is currently in the Washington County Jail and faces three counts of manslaughter, DUI vehicle driving murder charge and abandonment. from the scene.

The soldiers identified the deceased as being George Cecil, 52, of Cole Rain, North Carolina, and James Ussery, 60 years old from Chipley, Florida. A third victim, Ryan Barrett22-year-old Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, died of her injuries Thursday afternoon. Cecil and Barrett were employees of Lee Electric in North Carolina and Ussery was a West Florida electric employee.

STAY UP TO DATE: Download the free Action News app Jax News

Goedtke of Thonotosassa reportedly hit the linemen and fled on foot, but was quickly arrested, soldiers said. FOX13 Tampa reported that Goedtke had already been arrested several times in the state of Florida.

The investigation is underway.

Tragedy strikes Jacksonville workers

Although none of the casualties originated in northeastern Florida, linemen from the Jacksonville area said it was near their home.

Jesse Ferraraccio has been a lineman at JEA for 10 years and said the job was extremely dangerous.

"We have these close calls all the time," said Ferraraccio. "Even when we have cones and objects, you have cars jumping through you."

Ferraraccio wishes to remind drivers of the Florida Move Over Act, which requires you to travel on a lane reserved for stopped order authorities, emergencies, sanitation, commercial vehicles, tow trucks. and tow trucks.

If you can not move, slow down to 20 mph below the indicated speed limit.

"Please, recognize us as you would with blue lights or traffic lights on the side of the road. it's not because we have yellow lights that we are less important, "said Ferraraccio.

"Do not forget that we all have family, friends, children. please, go more slowly so that we can go see our families every night. "

[ad_2]
Source link