ERWIN, Tenn. — Johnny Peterson died trying to keep other people alive. That's the word from his family and an attorney they've hired since he died in flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
Peterson spent more than 30 years working at Impact Plastics — the factory state and local authorities are now investigating after six of its employees died.
Gerald O'Connor, the company's CEO, said in a video statement that employees had 45 minutes to evacuate the facility when the flooding started on the morning of Sept. 27. Some employees and their loved ones dispute that.
"Johnny spent the last hour or two of his life trying to save other people's lives," said Zack Lawson, an attorney who's been hired by his family.
Peterson's funeral was this week, and his obituary remembers him as an avid sports fan who was involved with Unicoi County football teams. He was a bow, muzzle and gun hunter who enjoyed fishing trips with his family.
His daughter, Alexa Peterson, told 10News' sister station WSMV in Nashville that she's not happy with what happened the day her dad died.
She said he sent her videos of the flooding around the time it started, which showed water rushing around the plant.
Her dad also sent photos of water inside of the facility. She said her dad was texting her the entire morning, telling her the company hadn't shut down the plant.
"The entire situation is so infuriating," she told WSMV.
Impact Plastics attorneys said in a statement this week that CEO Gerald O'Connor is now focusing on supporting his employees, working with officials to investigate what happened the day of the flood and planning to rebuild of the company.
"I personally would not be treating my friend of my deceased friend's family the way Impact Plastics has been treating everyone," Alexa Peterson told WSMV.