Gerald O’Connor, CEO of Impact Plastics, faces serious charges in connection with the deaths of factory workers during Hurricane Helene. O’Connor reportedly abandoned his employees during the storm, ordering them to stay home and meet production deadlines, which led to the tragic drowning of several employees. As the legal proceedings unfolded, O’Connor’s actions came under intense scrutiny and the families of those who died sought justice.
Tragedy in a small town in Tennessee
On September 27, Hurricane Helene devastated the rural town of Erwin, Tennessee, known for its proximity to the Cherokee National Forest and rafting. The small community was surprised by the hurricane’s strength, and among the victims were two employees of the Impact Plastics factory located in the city. One of those victims was 55-year-old Johnny Peterson, whose family filed a lawsuit against the company and its CEO.
Peterson was one of 11 workers trapped at the plant during the hurricane. Five workers were rescued, two tragically lost their lives and four remain missing. The lawsuit, filed in a Tennessee state court, alleges that the proximate cause of Peterson’s death was O’Connor’s negligent decision to prioritize order fulfillment over employee safety.
Gerald O’Connor and Impact Plastics: A Brief History
Gerald O’Connor founded Impact Plastics in 1987. The company produces custom parts for a variety of industries, including furniture, electronics, automotive and aerospace. The company played a significant role in the local economy, employing many members of the Erwin community.
Despite its success, Impact Plastics was temporarily closed due to flooding from Hurricane Helene. A message on the company’s website reads: “Our facility is currently closed due to extreme flooding that has affected our area. Please contact your representative for more information.” But the closure came too late for workers left behind during the storm.
Lawsuit: Calendar of events
According to New York Post OfficeThe lawsuit filed by Peterson’s family lays out a timeline of events leading up to the tragedy. The National Weather Service issued warnings as early as 10 a.m. on the day of the hurricane, urging residents to evacuate and seek higher ground. Many businesses and schools in the area complied and closed for the day. However, O’Connor allegedly instructed his workers to continue working, threatening them with dismissal if they left the factory before completing their tasks.
At around 10:30 a.m., workers were told to move their cars as the factory parking lot began to flood. By 11:35 a.m., O’Connor and other executives had evacuated the area without notifying employees. According to Knox Newsflooding entered the factory shortly after noon, causing chaos and trapping those inside.
Survivor Testimony: “We Shouldn’t Have Been There”
Robert Jarvis, one of the surviving workers, gave a harrowing account of the events leading up to the disaster. In an interview with a local news outlet CBS NewsJarvis described the confusion and panic that occurred as flood waters rose. He remembers being told by a supervisor that they couldn’t leave until O’Connor gave the order. When this order was finally given, it was too late – the water had already flooded the area, leaving the workers with no option.
“We had one way in and one way out. When we were told we could leave, the only exit was blocked,” Jarvis explained. He narrowly avoided rising waters by hitchhiking with several other workers in a 4×4. Others, however, were not so lucky. Jarvis expressed his frustration and sadness, stating, “It hurts to know that they failed and I succeeded. (…) We shouldn’t have been there; None of us should have been there.”
O’Connor’s defense: controversial video statement
After the tragedy, Gerald O’Connor released a video statement in early October in which he tried to defend his actions. He claimed that his decision to leave the factory was made after ensuring that all workers had been evacuated and that they had been given 45 minutes to escape before the floods arrived. O’Connor has denied ever threatening his employees with termination, stating that their safety is his top priority.
In the video, O’Connor further stated that the death occurred outside the factory premises and that five workers were rescued by helicopter. However, these claims were met with widespread skepticism, especially on social media platforms. According to CBS Newsmany commentators pointed out inconsistencies in O’Connor’s statements, particularly regarding the timing of events and the timing of employee evacuations.
Social media reaction: “The whole 45 minutes?”
O’Connor’s video statement was widely criticized online, with many accusing him of negligence and downplaying the seriousness of the situation. Facebook users were particularly vocal, with one commenter sarcastically stating: “A whole 45 minutes! They shouldn’t have been there when conditions were unsafe just hours before work started!” Another added: “45 minutes is not enough for a hurricane. What a psychopath.”
Some users highlighted discrepancies in O’Connor’s account, pointing out that if, as he claimed, he had ensured that all workers were evacuated, why were five workers rescued by helicopter and two killed in the flood?
The lawsuit filed by Johnny Peterson’s family is currently pending in Tennessee courts. Under Tennessee law, the family will have to prove that O’Connor’s actions were negligent or intentional in causing Peterson’s death in order to receive compensation. Meanwhile, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is conducting its own investigation into the events of September 27, and O’Connor has agreed to cooperate with the investigation.
