CHARLOTTE — A Duke Energy lineworker for Duke Energy died late Wednesday afternoon near Harland Street and Wandering Creek Drive in northwest Charlotte, a spokesperson with the energy company said.
>> A GoFundMe has been set up for the worker’s family. Click here to donate.
The Occupational Safety and Health Division of the North Carolina Department of Labor said it is looking into the lineworker’s death.
‘My heart goes out to his family’
Neighbors said they heard sirens then their power shut off. They said they looked outside expecting to see Duke Energy workers.
“I opened my blinds to see … I’m sorry ... I see the demise of the gentleman laid right at my window,” said Anita Bolin, a neighbor.
Duke Energy workers and Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers were at the residential construction site roped off with police tape.
“About seven to eight Duke Energy, trucks, about 10 police officers, forensic team, I guess, or whoever is examining the body,” Bolin said.
Bolin said she was heartbroken for everyone who knew the lineman.
“He was just doing his job,” Bolin said. “He was just working. And I can’t imagine. My heart goes out to his family.”
Neighbor Latanyia Ledbetter said she was in disbelief.
“I don’t believe they should build the home. That’s the only thing I believe because it’s too much,” she said.
This is the second time she’s seen first responders at the property in the last 12 months. In September 2023, a woman was rushed to a hospital with burns after her car exploded spreading flames to her home.
“When you see things like this right before your eyes, for something like this, to take a life, something is going on,” Ledbetter said.
Duke Energy said it’s investigating to find out what led up to the incident.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said officers at the scene were there to help MEDIC, and the incident wasn’t a criminal matter.
“Our hearts go out to our teammate’s family and fellow coworkers,” Duke Energy said in a statement. “We are currently investigating the incident to learn more and ask for privacy for the family at this time.”
Duke Energy didn’t give any details about how the worker died.
Lineworker community offers support
The lineworker community is coming together to support the family of the worker who died. A GoFundMe started by the wife of another lineman has already raised thousands of dollars in 24 hours.
According to the GoFundMe, Zach Jones was a Marine veteran and was planning to get married. He and his fiancée were in the process of building a house when he lost his life Wednesday.
The money raised will go to her.
Channel 9′s Hannah Goetz spoke with the founder of the LineLife Foundation, an organization that offers support and resources to power line families when disaster strikes.
“We have an accident, on average, every four days and we lose a lineman every two weeks — in the United States alone — so the numbers are staggering,” said Anne Marie Olivieri, adding, “I started seeing there were so many accidents … something has to be done, this is ridiculous.”
She and 3,000 volunteers across the country will be helping Jones’ family and countless others in similar and unimaginable situations.
“This is something that the industry needs and it’s from our heart, really,” she said.
Olivieri said everyone should think twice about what it takes to be able to flip the lights on.
“Just getting the public aware of the lives that are lost, giving them something that they take for granted,” she said.
The GoFundMe will be updated with funeral arrangements when they are made available.
(WATCH BELOW: Law enforcement surrounds Pageland home)
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