Tragedy in the Yard A San Antonio Family Fights for Justice After Fiber Optic Cable Kills Mother
A Quiet Day Turns Fatal
What began as an ordinary day in a quiet San Antonio neighborhood turned into a life-altering tragedy for the Roth family. On May 2, 64-year-old Glenda Roth was standing in her front yard on Oak Ledge Drive when a dumpster truck accidentally struck a low-hanging fiber optic line. The impact caused the line to snap violently, lashing across the yard and hitting Glenda with devastating force.
The blunt force trauma to her head was catastrophic. She was rushed to Brooke Army Medical Center, where doctors immediately performed emergency surgery. Despite their efforts, Glenda remained in a coma in the ICU for nearly two weeks.
A Family’s Unimaginable Pain
For Glenda’s daughter, Caroline Weeks, the moment she saw her mother in the hospital was one she will never forget.
“She didn’t even look like my mom anymore,” Caroline said. “The damage was so severe. It was heartbreaking.”
With no signs of recovery and doctors explaining that Glenda’s quality of life would be irreversibly compromised, the family made the agonizing decision to take her off life support. On May 15, Glenda Roth passed away—less than two weeks after the accident.
According to the Bexar County Medical Examiner, the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head.
Remembering Glenda Roth
Glenda was more than a victim of a tragic accident—she was the heart of her family. Her husband, Bill Roth, described her as “the brightest star in the sky.” The couple was approaching their 17th wedding anniversary this year.
“She made life fun. She had this incredible way of making even the most ordinary moments special,” said Caroline.
Bill recalled that meeting Glenda felt like a miracle: “I prayed that I would meet her before I died, and I did.”
Holding Companies Accountable
Now, the Roth family is seeking justice. On Tuesday, they filed a wrongful death lawsuit in state district court, naming three companies they believe are responsible for the fatal incident:
AT&T
Quest Utility Construction (a subcontractor)
HaulBrooke (a dumpster rental company)
The lawsuit claims that AT&T and Quest installed the fiber optic cable at a dangerously low height, below the standard clearance mandated by the National Electrical Safety Code. This negligent installation, combined with the actions of the dumpster truck, allegedly created the deadly chain of events that led to Glenda’s death.
According to Bill Roth, he had already raised concerns about the cable’s dangerously low height before the incident occurred, but those warnings went unaddressed.
Seeking Justice and Accountability
The suit seeks more than $1 million in damages, not just for the loss of a beloved family member, but to demand accountability and prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
For the Roth family, the lawsuit is about more than money—it’s about ensuring no other family has to endure the pain they’ve suffered. It’s a call to action for safer utility practices and corporate responsibility.
As they continue to grieve the sudden and senseless loss of a wife, mother, and friend, the Roths now turn to the legal system in the hope that justice can bring a measure of peace—and perhaps, save lives in the future.