Reimbursement and accountability. That’s what a group of frustrated homeowners in Houston’s Rice Military neighborhood is demanding after an 18-wheeler reportedly knocked down power lines on their street.
Not only did it leave them in the dark for nearly a week but they were also on the hook for footing a nearly $20,000 repair bill. Residents say the truck, operated by a company identified as 6G Transport, struck low-hanging power lines on Detering Street, pulling down a power pole and causing extensive damage that left seven homes without electricity.
“To say that I am outraged would be an understatement,” homeowner Dana Davis told KPRC 2 News. “We were literally and physically in a position of being powerless.”
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The group says they waited days without action from 6G Transport. With no power and Houston temperatures rising, they ended up hiring an electrician to restore electricity at a cost of nearly $20,000, which they say they had no choice but to pay out of pocket.
“With these unseasonably hot temperatures, we couldn’t endure another day without electricity,” Davis said.
More questions than answers
Davis told reporters that she reached out to the company multiple times and spoke directly with the owner, but was left with more questions than answers.
“He wasn’t sure if he was at fault,” she said. “He even suggested that CenterPoint might be responsible because the lines were too low or that the city should have posted signage.”
CenterPoint Energy, in a statement to KPRC 2, confirmed that it had responded to the outage on May 9, but the utility company said it was only responsible for its own infrastructure.
“CenterPoint repaired the damage to its equipment, and once repairs were made to the customer-owned equipment, power was restored,” the statement read. “While we understand the frustration and burden placed on the customers as a result of this incident, CenterPoint is not responsible for damage to customer-owned equipment caused by a third party unrelated to CenterPoint’s operations.”
Davis has since hired attorney Derrell Wright, who told KPRC 2 reporters that 6G Transport’s driver should have been more careful.
“Usually, high-profile vehicles like that should use extreme caution, especially in areas with low-hanging trees and power lines,” Wright said.
Wright confirmed that he’s been in contact with the trucking company’s insurance provider and had given them one week to respond before he would move forward with legal action.
KPRC 2 reported not having received a response to a request for comment from 6G Transport.
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Who should foot the bill?
The Houston homeowners are dealing with more than just power outages and repair costs. While the trucking company may be determined to bear responsibility, the situation is anything but straightforward.
Even if a company is found to be legally liable, or accountable for financial loss, that doesn’t guarantee compensation — which can involve navigating insurance disputes and legal challenges.
Homeowners facing such situations should seek legal advice to make sure they understand their rights and options.
They should also make sure to review their home insurance policy. Standard home insurance typically covers basic items, such as damage to the property and liability. Without additional coverage, homeowners may be left to pay out of pocket for repairs.
This situation highlights the importance of understanding insurance coverage — and the complexity of accountability.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
