Heartbroken family sues over death of grandmother who plunged down open manhole in NYC after she stepped out of vehicle

Published: 06:55, 17 July 2026 | Updated: 07:23, 17 July 2026 The grief-stricken family of a 56-year-old grandmother who fatally plunged down an open manhole in NYC has filed a wrongful death suit. Donike Gocaj was killed on May 18 after parking her car outside Cartier's flagship store on Fifth Avenue and plunging into the open hole.  Gocaj’s family and partner filed the lawsuit against the utility company Con Edison - who is responsible for the manhole - on Thursday, the New York Post reported. The heartbroken family alleged the utility company’s negligence led to the grandmother's tragic death, according to the suit obtained by the outlet. The 56-year-old stepped out of her Mercedes to meet her boyfriend between work shifts when she plummeted into the manhole, family attorney Howard Hershenhorn told the outlet. Gocaj shouted: 'I’m dying, I’m dying,' as her boyfriend, Jashar Kameraj, tried to save her. Horrified bystanders rushed to find a ladder, but the grandmother suffered severe burns, inhalation injuries and blunt force trauma. She later died from her injuries. Kameraj also sustained inhalation injuries and burns while trying to save his beloved partner - leaving him bedridden, per the lawsuit.  A family friend said that Gocaj, pictured above, was a proud mom and grandmother who just celebrated her son's wedding  An investigation is ongoing into why the manhole was uncovered. It is believed that the covering became dislodged after a truck drove over it. The scene after the tragedy is pictured above  The family claims ConEd endangered Gocaj, Kameraj and other New Yorkers by failing to take proper safety measures to prevent manhole covers from coming loose.  The filing alleged that the company was aware the manholes could 'become dislodged and displaced by, among other things, vehicle traffic and/or heavy vehicles.' ConEd said a passing truck may have knocked the utility hole cover loose just minutes before Gocaj arrived and parked along the avenue, per the outlet. 'Assuming that what they said is true, that a truck passed over it and dislodged it, it’s pretty obvious negligence that it wasn’t placed back correctly by Con Ed, who is responsible for that manhole cover,' Hershenhorn told the Post. The family’s attorney argued that the city received more than 3,200 complaints about manhole hazards in just the first two months of the year.   They added that ConEd, which maintains roughly 285,000 manholes, should install stronger locks, real-time monitoring and backup safety devices to prevent falls.  The family is seeking unspecified damages for the lasting physical, emotional and financial harm caused to Gocaj’s loved ones, along with punitive damages against ConEd.  Donike Gocaj (left) has been named as the woman who fell into a manhole and died after parking her Mercedes just off Manhattan's Fifth Avenue on Monday night Gocaj had scald burns on her body and suffered from blunt force trauma on her torso, an autopsy report said. She was pronounced dead at the hospital. Emergency responders at the scene are pictured above  Con Edison, New York's power provider responsible for the manhole, is investigating why it was uncovered. Officials covering it up after the tragedy is pictured above  The family claims ConEd endangered Gocaj, Kameraj and other New Yorkers by failing to take proper safety measures to prevent manhole covers from coming loose  'We extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased,' a ConEd spokesperson for the company told the outlet. 'Because the matter is pending litigation, we cannot comment on specific allegations or legal proceedings.  'Con Edison will review the complaint and respond through the appropriate legal process.' Daily Mail reached out to ConEd for comment.