Eversource fined after failing to fix rotting pole that led to man's electrocution

(MyFoxBoston.com) -- New Hampshire state officials have fined utility company Eversource $250,000 after they said the company failed to fix a rotting pole, leading to a man's electrocution.

Nate DeMond died in April 2014 after he came into contact with a downed Eversource line near the edge of Keene State College campus.

DeMond, who was a groundskeeper at the college for more than a decade, was investigating a possible power outage near the atheltic fields when he was electrocuted.

"My little brother meant the world to me, and the fact that I couldn't help him just tears me up," said DeMond's brother, Jason Michaels.

Michaels said his family mourned DeMond's death, believing it to be a freak accident, until the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission released a report earlier this month, citing negligence by Eversource.

FOX25 obtained the report, which included an inspection at the site in January 2014 - three months before DeMond's death - where an Eversource employee noticed a "broken cross arm" on the power pole.

The utility company never made an effort to fix or replace the broken, rotting wood, according to investigators.

Investigators said the already broken arm finally failed on April 19, falling into the clearing near Keene State campus and eventually causing DeMond's death.

"To do nothing - that's just unacceptable," Michaels said.

PUC officials have since fined Eversource a civil penalty of $250,000, the maximum allowed under state law.

Officials have also ordered further investigation into Eversource's actions.

In a statement, an Eversource spokeswoman told FOX25, "We would like to express our deep sorrow concerning the death of Mr. DeMond, and we reiterate our condolences to his family and friends. The safety of our customers and employees is our highest priority, and we remain devastated by this tragic accident.
Every one of our employees is committed to safety and we will work tirelessly to ensure that a tragedy like this is not repeated."

Michaels said those words ring hollow - and he believes someone should be held criminally responsible for his brother's death.

"I'm going to follow this through and make sure that the person or persons who dropped the ball on this is held responsible," Michaels said. "This is nothing to them, they need to be slapped with something a lot harder."

Cox Media Group