Utility worker electrocuted after touching live wire working on power pole in Mississippi

A utility worker is dead after police say he touched a live wire working on a power pole in south central Mississippi.

The fatality took place one day after Tropical Storm Debby made landfall along the Big Bend coast of Florida, killing at least four people, flooding streets, and causing widespread power outages in multiple states.

Jayton Stahlhut, 20, died on the job on Aug. 6 while inspecting the pole in the town of Prentiss, Prentiss Police Department Chief Richard Browning told USA TODAY on Monday.

The town is located in Jefferson County about 60 miles southeast of Jackson.

Browning said Stahlhut's coworker called 911 for help after his colleage was shocked while working on the northside of the city of Prentiss.

Emergency responders transported the victim to a hospital where Browning said he died that same day.

See states impacted:Baby formula recalled from CVS, H-E-B stores over high Vitamin D levels

Coroner: Utility worker electrocuted after touching live wire

Jefferson County Corner Dedra M. Johnson told USA TODAY Stahlhut died as a result of electrocution.

His manner of death was deemed accidental and Johnson said toxicology test results are pending in the case.

USA TODAY has reached out to EXO, the company officials said he worked as a contractor for.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.