Dominion sues Virginia Beach man over '05 power outage

PORTSMOUTH

Word of warning: Watch out for those utility poles.

Dominion Virginia Power is suing a Virginia Beach man for more than $250,000, saying his tractor-trailer hit and "snagged a distribution pole guy wire " near Port Norfolk.

The power giant alleges in a suit filed Jan. 12 that the 2005 incident caused a "major power outage" and damage to the company's distribution facilities on Chautauqua Avenue and to transmission systems elsewhere.

Chuck Penn, a spokesman for Dominion, said it is common practice for the company's claims department to go after losses from such accidents.

And there are many, he said.

If the claims department is unsuccessful in recouping the loss, the company turns to the courts, he said.

Penn said the company goes after only the dollars it takes to "restore our system to its original state."

Edward L. Knight, the man named in the suit, could not be reached for comment.

Janie Bryant, (757) 446-2453, janie.bryant@pilotonline.com