Moment of silence honors Ivan Garcia, lineworker who died on PUD job

WENATCHEE — Chelan County PUD commissioners paused Monday morning with a moment of silence to honor Ivan Garcia, an apprentice lineworker who died in the line of duty while working on a PUD project late in January.

Commission Chair Kelly Allen opened the Feb. 2 meeting by acknowledging Garcia’s death and the impact it has had on his coworkers and the broader utility community.

“Today we gather with heavy hearts,” Allen said. “Ivan was more than a teammate. He was a son, a friend, and a valued member of our lineworker family. His loss reminds us of the very real dangers inherent in this work and the courage it takes to do it.”

Garcia, 24, of Yakima, was working atop an electrical pole on a utility project along South Lakeshore Road outside Chelan on Jan. 28 when the pole snapped and he fell nearly 25 feet, according to Chelan County Coroner Earl Crowe. He was transported to Lake Chelan Health, where he was pronounced dead.

Allen asked those in attendance to join her in a moment of silence to honor Garcia’s memory and recognize the sacrifice he and his family have made. Commissioners, PUD staff and members of the public observed a brief but solemn pause before moving into the regular agenda.

Lineworkers and other utility field personnel often face hazardous conditions as part of routine maintenance and emergency response work. Garcia’s death marks a rare but profound reminder of those occupational risks and has drawn condolences from across the community.

The PUD has said it will cooperate with all safety investigations and review its protocols in the wake of the tragedy.

A fundraiser has been set up through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), with all funds raised going directly to Garcia’s family, hosted on the IBEW website.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media