Family of SC teacher killed by utility pole settles case for $30 million

BAMBERG, S.C. (WJBF) – Nearly one year after after a local teacher was struck and killed by a utility pole , her family has settled their case against Dominion Energy & Comporium.

31-year-old Jeunelle Robinson was killed on August 23, 2023, after a tractor trailer hit low-hanging overhead utility lines, which pulled eight damaged poles out of the ground. One of the poles flew in the air, striking Robinson as she was walking down Main Street.

Robinson’s cause of death was declared as blunt force trauma

Her family filed a lawsuit against Dominion on March 11 , after reaching a settlement with the tractor trailer company.

“Although nothing can bring Jeunelle back to her family, we are pleased to have reached this resolution with the parties involved,” said the family’s attorney, Justin Bamberg. “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. We are focused on protecting rural areas that are often overlooked by utility and power companies around the country, and we hope that this tragic situation will result in greater attention being focused on repairing and maintaining poles in America’s rural areas.”

The family states they’ve made plans to create the “Jeunelle Robinson Teacher’s Hope Fund” to provide school supplies and other items to teachers in South Carolina, and across the country.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.