Lawsuit filed against Impact Plastics Inc. and its CEO

The family of Johnny Peterson, a foreman who was killed September 27 after trying to rescue his colleagues from floodwaters at Impact Plastics in Erwin, has filed a $25 million wrongful death lawsuit against Impact Plastics Inc. and its CEO, Gerald O’Connor. A suit was filed by attorney’s on behalf of Alexa Peterson, Johnny Peterson’s oldest daughter, on Monday afternoon in Unicoi County Circuit Court. Attorney Alex Little said in a statement that “These deaths and his, in particular, was entirely preventable,” and that “The company didn’t prevent it. And ultimately they’re responsible.” The lawsuit alleges three separate counts of wrongful death and other allegations.