SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Nearly two years after a lightning strike killed a woman in Winter Springs, her family is now suing the Seminole County School Board, according to court documents filed on Thursday.
The lawsuit accuses the school board of playing a role in the death of Nicole Tedesco, who was killed after picking up her two daughters from Keeth Elementary School on Aug. 19, 2022.
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At the time, Tedesco was believed to be standing by a tree at Trotwood Park that was struck by lightning. The incident ended with Tedesco’s death.
The lightning strike also injured her 10-year-old daughter, family dog and an 18-year-old woman, investigators said. The child and dog were later released from medical care.
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“This storm came upon us fast ... There (were) no alerts, no severe weather alerts, that came in and prompted, ‘Hey, the storm’s coming.’ It was, ‘Bang!’ just like that. Little bit of rain came, lightning and then it was just pure mayhem after that,” Winter Springs police Chief Matthew Tracht said at the time.
Thursday’s lawsuit claims that the school district failed to recognize the weather threat, provide proper safety measures and warn others about the danger, which resulted in Tedesco’s death.
“Specifically, (the) school board makes parents wait outside for their children during dismissal in an area that is unprotected from rain, thunderstorms, and other extreme weather,” the lawsuit reads. “No protection from the elements is available.”
The lawsuit — filed by Tedesco’s husband, Andrew Tedesco — is seeking over $50,000 in damages from the school board.
The full lawsuit has been attached to this story and can be read below.
Suing Seminole School Board by Anthony Talcott on Scribd
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