Gas Company Manager Found Guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter in Propane Tank Explosion

Loudoun County firefighters responded to a fatal propane tank explosion in February 2024, which killed firefighter Trevor Brown and injured many others. The blast was caused by a leak from an underground propane tank that had been previously diagnosed with damage. Prosecutors charged the gas company manager, Roger L. Bentley, with involuntary manslaughter and three misdemeanors related to the gas leak. A Loudoun jury found Bentley guilty of all charges after a four-day deliberation. The explosion was preventable, and Bentley's failure to take steps to stop the leak led to the tragic outcome.

Key Takeaways:

• The propane tank had been previously diagnosed with a leak and had a french drain installed from the basement into the backyard, which may have funneled the propane into the house.
• The leak was caused by two fingertip-size holes in the bottom of the tank, which couldn't be seen from the ground.
• Bentley was aware of the leak but did not take immediate action to stop it, instead telling Woods that the odor "wasn't a big deal" and that Southern States would return Monday to dig up and replace the tank.
• Bentley allegedly told Woods not to call the fire department, instead saying that they would make "a big deal out of nothing."
• The house exploded about an hour after Bentley left the scene, sending a thunderous boom across Loudoun and pummeling nearby houses with violent shock waves.
• Firefighter Trevor Brown was killed instantly by a piece of the house as it shot outward, while two firefighters were trapped in the basement, and 10 others suffered injuries.
• Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Eden Holmes said that Bentley's actions were "gross, wanton and culpable" and demonstrated a "callous disregard for human life."
• Bentley's lawyer, Kelly L. King, argued that Bentley did not know the tank was leaking and had no reason to walk away from potential trouble as a 38-year employee with a spotless record.
• The prosecution proved that Bentley's actions were the "proximate cause" of Brown's death, and the jury found him guilty of involuntary manslaughter and three misdemeanors.
• Bentley faces a sentencing range of probation up to 10 years in prison.
• The explosion was "a preventable disaster -- plain and simple," according to Demetry Pikrallidas, a lawyer for three of the plaintiffs in the civil case.

Statistics:

• 23-year-old propane tank had two fingertip-size holes in the bottom, which couldn't be seen from the ground.
• French drain installed from basement into backyard, which investigators believe may have funneled propane into house.
• 8 of the 10 firefighters injured in the blast have returned to duty, while 2 are still on leave.
• 3 children of the late firefighter Trevor Brown are now ages 12, 10, and 8.
• 5,200 cost to replace the propane tank, as previously estimated in 2021.
• 4 days of deliberation for the jury to reach a verdict.
• 23 hours of deliberation in total for the jury.

Sources:

• [1] By Tom Jackman, The Washington Post (no date provided).
• [2] Trial records, Loudoun Circuit Court (no date provided).
• [3] Interview with Demetry Pikrallidas, lawyer for three of the plaintiffs (no date provided).