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Wrongful death suit against Foothill-De Anza district

Town Crier Staff Report
Published on 04/13/1998

Daniel and Florine Ruano, the parents of a construction worker who was electrocuted while working at Foothill College last October, have filed a claim for wrongful death against the Foothill-De Anza Community College District.

David Ruano, 41, died last Oct. 9 in the attic crawl space of a biology lab that was undergoing renovations.

He worked for Miller Electrical Services, which was under contract with the college.

Frank Nunez, construction and maintenance supervisor, said it looked like Ruano tripped and touched an open wire with his hand while trying to crawl out of the space for a break.

"We found him near an open junction, lying over a water pipe - a combination of voltage and water," he said during an interview last October.

The district risk manager has recommended to members of the board of trustees that they deny the claim.