Gulf Power worker dies in Virginia

Gulf Power worker dies in Virginia
Deadly car accident Tuesday evening
Updated: Thursday, 05 Jul 2012, 10:21 PM CDT
Published : Thursday, 05 Jul 2012, 1:47 PM CDT

Russell Colburn
MILTON, Fla. (WALA) - One can overlook the dangers of being a line technician for a utility company, working to restore power in some of the worst conditions Mother Nature can dish out.

But the Panhandle's own Gulf Power recently suffered a tragic reminder.

"She loved helping others, she was a great person to work with, and this has just been a tragedy and quite a shock for the employees at this office," said Gulf Power spokeswoman Natalie Smith.

56-year-old Jacqueline Green was a part of a 63-person storm team, working to help Dominion Power crews restore power in Bluemont, Virginia.

But Tuesday night, witnesses say while she was traveling in a three truck convoy, Green lost control of her vehicle and picked up speed heading downhill.

Green's Freightliner bucket truck collided with another utility vehicle which was sent into a Toyota Tacoma.

She died at the scene.

"You're so worried about all of the dangers that all of our linemen deal with on a daily basis," Smith said. "They are all on the front line everyday, working in extremely dangerous situations, willing to put themselves out there. And for something like this to happen, it's just such a tragedy.'

For 22 years, Green called the Milton Gulf Power office home. Workers told FOX10 News that Green was a hard-worker and had a "heart of gold."

"Gulf Power is definitely truly saddened by this loss," Smith said. "This is very sad time for us, and right now we're just thinking of Jackie's family."

Smith says Green was married with children.

The crash is still under investigation, but deputies say it appears there were issues with the truck's brakes.