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Zephyrhills man dies after antenna hits power line

The line was carrying 14,400 volts when two men trying to adjust the antenna accidentally touched it.

By JAMAL THALJI
Published February 25, 2005

ZEPHYRHILLS - The power went out all over Cecil Lane Wednesday evening, and Carolina Rodriguez heard a loud thump on the ground outside.

She rushed out to see two men lying still on the ground, with the television antenna they were trying to move touching a high-powered electrical line out back that carries 14,400 volts of electricity.

Julio Benavides, her neighbor and landlord, lay on his side, struggling to breathe.

Next to him was the father of her child, Oscar Nunez, her boyfriend of 15 years, lying face down on the ground.

Nunez, 39, was pronounced dead later that night at Tampa General Hospital.

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office ruled it an accident.

Nunez leaves behind a son, 21/2-year-old John Paul Nunez.

Rodriguez, who does not speak English, spent Thursday grieving, according to friend Teresa Lopez.

Nunez came to this country first from Costa Rica five years ago. He sent money back to pay for Rodriguez to follow him.

"She's bad," Lopez said. "She's never felt this pain."

According to a sheriff's report, both men were injured about 7 p.m. while trying to move a TV antenna on the side of Nunez and Rodriguez's mobile home at 37819 Cecil Lane.

All Benavides, 49, said he remembers before the accident, he told deputies, was that the two men lost control of the antenna and that it struck power lines above. Benavides said he didn't know power lines were so close to the residence, the report said.

Rodriguez's cries drew friends and neighbors. They called 911.

Nunez was unconscious and in critical condition when paramedics found him, the report said. He was taken to East Pasco Medical Center, Lopez said, then flown to Tampa General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

He was killed by the electrical discharge that traveled from his left side to his heart then exited through his right hand and foot, Dr. Pierre Detiege told deputies.

The doctor said Nunez apparently was holding onto the antenna with both hands, based on the burn marks on both hands and forearms. Nunez's right big toe also suffered from an electrical discharge injury, the doctor said.

Paramedics found Benavides, 49, with an unusual heartbeat. Benavides said he remembered waking up on the ground after what seemed like 20 minutes but was told he was only out for a few seconds. He couldn't move his arms or legs at first.

By the time paramedics arrived, Benavides was on his feet. He was diagnosed with a rapid heartbeat and superficial burns to his palms and left foot. Benavides was in the hospital when he learned of Nunez's death.

Workers with Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative removed the antenna, which was charred where the men's hands touched it.

The workers said the 32-foot antenna touched both the primary and neutral wire, electrifying the antenna and the two men holding it, the report said.

The primary power line is 27 feet high, the report said, and there were 22 feet between the power lines and where the antenna was mounted.

[Last modified February 25, 2005, 00:52:18]