2 Power Linemen Killed Working To Restore Power In Panhandle

WASHINGTON COUNTY, FL -- A 37-year-old Thonotosassa resident has been arrested for killing two power linemen and critically injuring another lineman as they worked to restore power in the Florida Panhandle, reported the Florida Highway Patrol.

According to troopers, at 6:50 p.m. on Tuesday, John Roland Goedtke was towing a U-Haul trailer behind a 1997 Ford F-150 north on State Road 77 in one of the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Michael.

Goedtke veered onto the shoulder of the highway and crossed Talton Drive where he struck the three linemen who were working to restore power to the area following the hurricane, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Goedtke then drove into a ditch and began running from the truck. He was spotted by a Chipley Police officer and taken into custody.

George Cecil, a 52-year-old lineman from Cole Rain, North Carolina, Ryan Barrett, 22, of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, both employees of Lee Electric, and James Ussery, a 60-year-old lineman from Chipley, Florida, who works for West Florida Electric, were struck by the truck.

Cecil and Ussery were killed. Barrett was taken to Southeastern Medical Center in critical condition, troopers said.

Goedtke has been charged with vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter.

Image via Washington County Sheriff's Office

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