New Jersey

New Jersey Woman Dies After Power Company Cuts Off Her Electricity, Family Says

A New Jersey woman has died after the electricity company cut power to her house, despite her paying $500 to the company only days before, according to her family.

Desiree Washington said her 68-year-old mother Linda Daniels relied on an electric-powered oxygen tank to breathe, and she died of heart failure Thursday hours after Public Service Enterprise Group turned off the electricity at her Newark home due to nonpayment.

The company said it was unaware of Daniels' medical needs and that it cut off power because of a lack of payments over several months. Daniels’ account was "severely in arrears," and the company made "at least 15 attempts" since January to notify her, including two visits, PSE&G said.

"We never would have disconnected service had we been informed of the circumstances," the company said.

According to Washington, however, $500 was paid to the company two days before the power was cut off and her family had previously notified the company of her mother's medical issues.

PSE&G has not said whether it received the $500 payment.

PSE&G called her death “a terrible tragedy” and said it is continuing its investigation.

Newark Police are investigating.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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