Consumers Energy utility worker killed in June crash honored through statewide effort to raise awareness about utility worker safety

Creel  Wife (2).jpeg Jeffery Creel, pictured here with his wife Robin, was killed in a crash June 22 while responding to a report of a downed power line.

JACKSON, MI –

could have been prevented if the driver who hit him simply paid attention, Creel’s wife Robin said Thursday afternoon.

Creel, a journeyman line worker for Consumers Energy, was struck by a vehicle June 22 on Homer Road in Fayette Township near Jonesville while he was responding to a report of a downed power line. He later died at Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo.

Benjamin Anspaugh, 61, of Jonesville, has been charged with a moving violation causing death in a work zone – a felony carrying a maximum of 15 years in prison and fines up to $7,500 – and is due in Hillsdale County Court on Dec. 19, according to the prosecutor’s office.

“I won’t ever understand how this man hit my husband,” said Robin Creel, who lives in Montgomery in Hillsdale County. “I feel people that are driving are not paying attention and they don’t look for things around them.”

This week, the House Energy and Technology Committee heard emotional testimony from family and friends of Creel during a presentation of House Resolution 330, which was introduced to declare Dec. 6 as "Utility Worker Safety Awareness Day."

The goal of the resolution is to better educate the public about the need to slow down and go around utility workers who are working on the road.

Robin Creel, who had four children with her husband, said this resolution is near and dear to her heart.

“Utility workers… should be protected just like police and fireman,” she said. “They are all doing a good job to help people. Jeff worked with a lot of good men, and I pray for their safety every day.”

The resolution was introduced by primary sponsor state Rep. Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth, who was assisted by the Hastings Grassroots team to have it developed.

“This resolution was brought about because our co-workers got involved and spoke with legislators about the need to heighten awareness,” said Dan Malone, senior vice president of distribution and customer operations for Consumers Energy, who also provided testimony at the hearing. “As a result, they didn’t just do something good for their headquarters, department or even our company, but, for all utility workers in Michigan.”

Frank Coolbaugh, who was Jeffery Creel’s best friend and co-worker, said it was very gratifying for he and Robin Creel to be at the committee hearing on Tuesday.

“I don’t want his death to be in vain,” Coolbaugh said about Creel. “It was quite a tragedy. For this to happen was a very big shock for everybody involved. People need be aware that we’re out here.”

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