Family of South Carolina teacher killed by utility pole claims incident was 'avoidable'

The family of a 31-year-old public school teacher killed by a utility pole in Wagener, South Carolina is taking legal action, claiming the incident was "entirely avoidable."

Jeunelle Robinson, a social studies teacher at Wagener-Salley High School, was on her lunch break when a tractor-trailer hit overhead utility lines, pulling eight "defective" utility poles out of the ground, according to a news release from Bamberg Legal, which is representing the family.

One of the poles, which was flying through the air, struck Robinson as she walked along Main Street, gravely injuring her, according to the release. She later died from her injuries.

Attorneys released a graphic video of the incident, which appears to be taken from a business security camera, showing Robinson being knocked to the ground by the large pole.

Bamberg Legal said the poles were "potentially" more than six decades old and suffered wood rot, according to the release. Had the poles been maintained or replaced, attorneys said the poles would not have snapped as easily or been pulled out of the ground.

Bamberg Legal noted that while utility companies in larger cities often maintain their infrastructure fairly well, what happened to Robinson was a "typical but avoidable risk" due to the infrastructure problems found in rural America, according to the release.

Bamberg Legal said it is conducting an independent investigation into the incident.

The family will be speaking out for the first time following the incident Tuesday morning at Bamberg Legal offices in Bamberg, South Carolina.

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This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Family of teacher killed by flying utility pole prepares to file suit