The parents of a 22-year-old man who died following a roller coaster ride at Six Flags Magic Mountain filed a lawsuit accusing the amusement park of negligent disregard for rider safety.
The lawsuit, filed by Anne and William Hawley, contends that the Los Angeles area park operated the X2 roller coaster ride despite knowing its potential dangers, East Bay Times reported.
The couples' son, Christopher Hawley, was a recent San Diego State University graduate with aspirations of becoming an actor. He died on June 23, 2022 when he suffered a fatal brain injury while riding X2 with his younger brother and cousin.
"As X2 approached its conclusion, the ride suddenly, abruptly and violently jolted to a halt, jarring decedent Christopher Hawley and the other two boys in their seats," the lawsuit claims.
After exiting, Hawley appeared disoriented, complaining of head pain before grasping a handrail for support, kneeling down, and losing consciousness. He was rushed to the hospital, where a CT scan revealed catastrophic brain trauma. Hawley died the next day.
The lawsuit alleges that Six Flags knowingly operated an "unreasonably dangerous" ride, citing previous reports of riders who sustained "whiplash, head and leg injuries, and more, from the ride's sudden shuddering and jolts."
The family's attorney, Ari Friedman, stated that these incidents should have prompted safety improvements, but the park prioritized profits over the well-being of guests.
Six Flags has not commented on the pending litigation.
The Hawley family is seeking compensatory damages from Six Flags Magic Mountain, its parent company, and the ride's manufacturer, S&S Worldwide. A trial date has been set for October 13, with the legal team expected to seek at least $10 million in damages.
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