A Florida family is seeking justice and holding accountable a local school board for the tragic death of a mother who was struck by lightning while picking up her children. According to court documents viewed by PEOPLE, Andrew Tedesco is seeking more than $50,000 in damages after his wife, Nicole Tedesco, was fatally struck by a bolt of lightning in August 2022 while waiting outside Keeth Elementary School in Seminole County to pick up her kids.
The family has filed a lawsuit against the school board, alleging negligence and failure to recognize the potential danger of severe weather. The complaint stated that parents are forced to wait outside for their children during dismissal without any protection from the elements, despite the risk of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning in the area. The incident occurred during a time of year when such weather is common, and the family argues that it was a foreseeable risk for parents waiting for their young children.
According to Winters Springs Police Chief Matthew Tract, the storm came suddenly and with no warning. He described the incident as “mayhem” and stated that it happened very quickly. Witnesses reported that after a small amount of rain, the lightning struck, causing chaos. Sadly, Nicole was the only fatality, but her two daughters and the family dog were also severely injured in the incident.
The lawsuit accuses the school board of creating a dangerous condition on school property and failing to exercise reasonable care for the safety of visitors. The family argues that the school board had a responsibility to recognize the serious risk of severe weather and take necessary precautions to protect parents and guardians waiting outside during dismissal. They believe that this tragedy could have been prevented if the school board had taken appropriate measures.
Police say Nicole Tedesco, 42 — seen here with her husband Andrew and their two daughters, Ava and Gia — was killed Thursday by a lightning strike near a Winter Springs elementary school.
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The Seminole County Board of County Commissioners (SCBCC) is also facing allegations of negligence in connection to the case. The family argues that the SCBCC had a legal duty to ensure the safety of visitors on the school property and failed to do so. The lawsuit states that the county owed a duty to Nicole and her family to exercise reasonable care for their safety while they were on the property.
Nicole was described as a beloved preschool and Sunday school teacher who was loved deeply by everyone she met. Her obituary fondly recalls her as having “a sweet, gentle soul” and a special touch in adding value to her friends and family’s lives. She was also remembered as a devoted and loving mother by her daughter, Ava. The loss of her mother has been devastating for Ava and her family, and they are seeking justice for Nicole’s untimely death.
PEOPLE reached out to the attorneys representing Nicole’s family, the school board, and the SCBCC for comment, but there has been no response yet. The family’s lawsuit highlights the need for schools and local authorities to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of visitors during severe weather conditions. While incidents like these may be unforeseen, it is the responsibility of those in charge to be aware of potential risks and take appropriate action to prevent tragedies like this from occurring in the future.
