Portland Family Sues For $375 Million Over 3 Electrocution Deaths After Power Line Falls On SUV

PORTLAND, Ore. — A family filed a lawsuit against Portland General Electric (PGE) and Legacy Property Management for $375 million in the Multnomah County Circuit Court on Friday over the January 2024 electrocution deaths of three people after a power line fell.

$375 Million Lawsuit Filed After Power Line Fall

A power line fell on top of the victims’ car at a Northeast Portland triplex where they were visiting relatives. It began sparking on Jan. 17, 2024, in the 12300 block of NE Siskiyou Street. As smoke filled the car’s interior, two adults, one holding an infant, and a teen boy got out.

The three individuals, Tajaliyah Olivia Briggs, 21, her boyfriend, DeVonte Nash, and Tajaliyah’s 15-year-old brother, Ta-Ron Lee Briggs, all slipped on the icy ground after exiting the car. They slid into contact with the still-live power line wire. Tajaliyah’s baby, Nymier, was the only one to survive.

Mr. Nash, who was holding the infant, slipped on the ice-covered driveway, slid down the driveway toward the street, and was electrocuted. Ms. Briggs then slid down the icy driveway and was also electrocuted. Ta-Ron, who had seen what happened, tried to save Nymier, who was lying within the zone of danger of the downed power line, but also slipped, fell, and was electrocuted.

In the lawsuit, the family alleges that PGE was negligent in many respects, including failing to set appropriate fusing levels so that the downed lines could be de-energized and failing to conduct appropriate vegetation maintenance.

Allegations were also made that Legacy Property Management failed to reasonably inspect the property and did not warn residents of the potential dangers.