Columbia Gas Settles With Family Of Man Killed In Explosions

LAWRENCE, MA — Columbia Gas of Massachusetts and the family the person who died in the Sept. 13 gas explosions agreed to settle a lawsuit. Terms of the settlement, which was announced Tuesday, were not disclosed. The family of Leonel Rondon, 18, of Lawrence, filed a wrongful death suit against Columbia Gas of Massachusetts in October.

"The family can only hope that this kind of catastrophe will never happen again," Doug Sheff, attorney for the Rondon family, said. "Nothing can replace the loss of Leonel and the Rondons will continue to cherish his memory, his loving support and positive impact on his family and community.

Sheff said his law firm will establish a scholarship fund designed to encourage an ongoing interest in public safety and community service. He said Rondon loved music and science and had hoped to go to college. "He was only 18 years old and full of life," Sheff said. "He dreamt of going to college and cared for his family members in every way possible. His mother, Rosaly, described Leonel as 'the happiness of the house'."

Rondown, who had just received his driver's license, was parked in the driveway of his family's Lawrence home when the house was flattened by an explosion and a chimney collapsed onto the SUV. The house was one of more than 130 buildings damaged or destroyed in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover in the Sept. 13 gas explosions. A passenger in the car suffered severe injuries, while two other passengers escaped unscathed.

Rondon's sued Columbia and its parent company in October. The National Transportation Safety Board, which is still working on its investigation, has blamed the explosions on over-pressurization in gas lines. Dozens were injured; Rondon was the only fatality.

The utility's parent company, NiSource Inc., said Tuesday it would also establish a scholarship in Rondon's name as part of the settlement.

"We remain heartbroken over the tragic loss of Leonel Rondon and again express our deepest sympathy to his family and to the entire community," said NiSource CEO and President Joe Hamrock. "We recognize the pain that remains and understand that nothing we can ever say or do will bring Leonel back to his loved ones or erase that pain. Since this tragic event, we have always wanted to do the right thing for the Rondon family and all of those affected, and we are pleased to have reached this settlement."

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).