A South Carolina high school teacher tragically lost her life last week after being struck by a utility pole while on her lunch break. Jeunelle Robinson, a beloved social studies teacher at Wagener-Salley High School, was walking near an intersection in Wagener when a tractor-trailer collided with eight powerlines, causing one of the poles to become airborne and hit her. Despite efforts to avoid the accident, Robinson sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at Augusta University Medical Center.
The devastating incident has prompted Robinson’s family to seek justice and compensation. They are requesting $100 million for her estate, along with a $10 million trust to establish an annual scholarship in her name. In addition, the family, represented by attorney Rep. Justin Bamberg of Bamberg Legal LLC, is calling for $20 million worth of investments into local power infrastructure to prevent similar accidents in the future.
According to Bamberg, the accident could have been prevented if the utility companies responsible for the maintenance of the intersection’s utility poles had conducted regular inspections. He holds these companies accountable for the tragic loss of Robinson’s life and believes they should take responsibility for their negligence.
Pt 1: Wagener-Salley High School teacher Jeunelle Robinson was walking down the street during lunchtime last Wednesday when her life was senselessly taken after she was hit by a defective utility pole whose rotten wood snapped after the utility lines were hit by a semi. pic.twitter.com/dxFGxG9C8p
— Justin Bamberg, Esq. (@JustinBamberg) August 29, 2023
Wagener-Salley High School, where Robinson had been teaching for two years, expressed their grief in a statement, emphasizing her impact on the school community. Colleagues and students remember her as genuine, sweet, and dedicated to her students’ education and well-being. The school canceled a football game, volleyball game, and open house out of respect for Robinson’s untimely passing.
As investigations continue into the accident, the focus remains on improving safety measures and preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future. The Robinson family’s call for justice, compensation, and infrastructure improvements reflects their desire to ensure that no one else suffers the same tragic fate as their beloved teacher.
In the wake of this heartbreaking event, the community mourns the loss of a remarkable educator and person, while also demanding accountability and changes to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
