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Three Lineworkers Killed By Suspected DUI Driver
October 26, 2018
Three lineworkers restoring power after Hurricane Michael struck by a vehicle and killed by a pickup truck pulling a U-Haul trailer near Chipley. The vehicle left the roadway and hit the men as they worked on shoulder.
Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews said suspect John Goedtke (pictured) fled the scene before being arrested about five miles away. He was charged with DUI manslaughter, felony vehicular homicide and leaving the scene.
The victims were 52-year-old George Cecil of Cole Rain, NC; 22-year-old Ryan Barrett, of Roanoke Rapids, NC; and 60-year-old James Ussery of Chipley.
Even though the crews were not part of Gulf Power’s group of lineworkers, the company said the news was a tragic reminder of the dangers of working along the roadside.
“Nothing matters more than the safety of our customers and our storm crews, and after a storm of this magnitude, all of us must remain vigilant,” said Adrianne Collins, Gulf Power’s vice president of Power Delivery. “Risk from oncoming traffic is one of the biggest dangers our lineworkers face, and our community can assist with the protection of all our restoration team members by observing the Move Over law.”
Gulf Power offered the following tips:
Move Over law – The Move Over law provides safety buffers for those working or assisting others along Florida’s roadways including law enforcement, emergency responders, utility and sanitation workers and other public servants.
- The law requires motorists to move over a lane when passing.
- If they cannot move over, then they should slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
- If drivers violate the Move Over law, they could be issued a ticket, which could result in a fine as well as three points on their driver’s license.
Comments
8 Responses to “Three Lineworkers Killed By Suspected DUI Driver”
I don’t know why this man was not in jail, if you look at his past arrest you will see some disturbing factors about him. People like this make me sick, I am from Dothan and after all we went through after the hurricane. This linemen are out there to help people in need. We should give them all the respect that we give a policeman.
so sad. I just drove thru there yesterday and there are line/power trucks EVERYWHERE. It’s not like you don’t know they are there. He left the road, Left the scene, and left 4 families in sorrow (including his). The trailers for UHaul say “45 MPH” but people drive faster… but you have extra weight, etc. and must pay more attention while towing too.
Stiffer penalties are needed. But, let the law do its job and get the facts before “hanging on site”.
I am for “hanging later” if found guilty of drinking and killing someone.
Start hanging drunk drivers in site and this crime will end. If you don’t care about lives, why should we care about yours? I cannot imagine needing a drink of anything but water. I’ve lived with drunks and it is not living!
so sad !!! this fool should be shot and then hung just to make sure we didnt make a mistake !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The men and women who work as lineman have the most dangerous jobs which we often take for granted. One more drunk got in a vehicle and started it impaired and we will do nothing except offer the family our thoughts and prayers. It is time for drunks not to be able to drive a vehicle impaired, and it is time for America to tell the Alcohol lobby that ignition interlocks are a simple and safe solution to this epidemic. My car can tell me my music selections, but it cannot stop me from getting in a vehicle and killing three innocent human beings because I am impaired. Twenty years ago they argued the technology would not work, or somebody else would blow, but throughout the country repeat offenders are not driving impaired because they have ignition interlocks installed and they are reducing dui deaths. This carnage cannot continue in a civilized society.
You take a drunk driver that causes carnage like this, and put him to death, you will without a doubt make folks think twice about getting behind the wheel drunk and intoxicated!
Prayers go out to all families, and remembering the family and coworkers of James Ussery of West Florida Electric Cooperative a neighbor of our EREC family. They have had a hard enough time dealing with storm recovery efforts and now having to deal with such a tragedy as well.
Terrible news…prayers for all involved!
Men were working for west Florida cooperative
COOP STRONG!!!!!