business
Family of Donike Goncaj, grandmother killed after falling into open New York City manhole, accuses utility company of negligence in lawsuit
By KGO-TV, ABC at ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC)
· July 17, 2026
· 1 min read
The family of Donike Goncaj, a grandmother killed after falling into an open New York City manhole, accuses a utility company of negligence in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The tragic death of Donike Goncaj in New York City raises questions about infrastructure maintenance in San Francisco . While the incident occurred on the East Coast, the issue of open manholes and utility company negligence is relevant to the City and County of San Francisco, where aging infrastructure and heavy foot traffic can create similar hazards. San Francisco's own history of infrastructure challenges, including potholed streets and outdated sewer systems, underscores the need for local utility companies to prioritize maintenance and public safety. As the family of Donike Goncaj seeks justice, San Francisco residents may wonder about the condition of their own city's manholes and utility grids, and whether sufficient measures are in place to prevent such accidents from occurring here. The city's utility companies should take note of this lawsuit and review their own protocols to ensure that San Francisco's infrastructure does not pose a deadly risk to its citizens.
About this story
Original reporting by ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The family of Donike Goncaj, a grandmother killed after falling into an open New York City manhole, accuses a utility company of negligence in a wrongful death lawsuit.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KGO-TV, ABC at ABC7 News (KGO-TV, ABC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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