According to Lyon County Sheriff Brent White, on January 27 deputies and the Kuttawa Fire Department responded to a gas leak on Locust Street where they found 44-year-old Jimmy Oliver sitting on a skid steer. Deputies said Oliver told them he had accidentally hit a gas line.
They said Oliver claimed he would return to the scene after retrieving his vehicle but deputies said he never did.
Sheriff White said Oliver had rented the excavation equipment but did not return it on time. On January 25, while clearing trees from a family member’s property, he allegedly damaged a Kentucky Utilities electric line, resulting in a temporary power outage. Then, on January 27, Oliver reportedly struck the city gas line without having a pre-authorized 811 dig ticket.
WPKY reported that the gas line damage caused an overnight disruption of service to several homes.
After failing to return to the scene, Sheriff White said the excavating equipment and trailer were impounded. Oliver was located the next day and charged with endangering an underground facility by excavator and first-degree criminal mischief.
He is scheduled to appear in Lyon District Court on Wednesday.
On the Net:
Original WPKY story
