Skip To Content
Free consultation Text or call 312.553.4900

Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse A ‘Fluke’?

August 16, 2011  ·  By HM&M

TAGS:

Many are talking about Saturday's tragedy at the Indiana State Fair. Minutes before the country sensation, Sugarland, began their set, a forceful 70 mph gust of wind blustered through, knocking the giant stage down and trapping fans underneath.

Rain had been in the forecast, along with thunderstorms, and Fair officials warned the possibility of an evacuation. However, the same officials expressed hopes of the show's continuation. But it was all too late, when two minutes later the dark storm clouds and winds came through, knocking down the stand.

At this time, the death toll is 5, and roughly 40 others have reportedly been injured.

While Governor of Indiana, Mitch Daniels, calls the event a “fluke,” many are questioning whether or not the wind could have been predicted and whether or not necessary precautions could have taken place to ensure the safety of the State Fair-goers.

Hoosiers are no strangers to precarious weather – an ABC news article reports that this section of Indiana is sometimes known as “tornado alley.” Similar speed and strength winds struck the area in April 2006 at an outdoor John Mellencamp concert. Winds also struck in May of 2004, when a tornado touched down south of the Indianapolis Speedway, interrupting the Indianapolis 500 racing.

As a Chicago injury lawyer, I am suspicious of the high winds being a “fluke” event. In a “tornado alley,” I believe that there should be better evacuation plans and precautions implemented to ensure the safety of its residents. Considering a tumultuous past weather history, it is not out of question to expect and demand this type of precaution. It is up to concert organizers, weather officials and law enforcement to ensure this.

August 16, 2011

$6.5 Million Settlement in Chicago Auto Accident

The Chicago Tribune reports on a recent lawsuit settlement involving wrongful death caused by an automobile accident. Here is what happened. Seven years ago Gregory Jones, 8, and Datondra Mitchell, 11, were hit by an unmarked police car. Jones died shortly thereafter, and Mitchell suffered serious injuries. The officer who hit the children claimed that... Read More

August 16, 2011

California Teen Arrested in Fatal Auto Accident

I am disturbed by the story of a recent arrest of a California teen. As a Chicago auto injury attorney, I am all too familiar with the deadly combination of teens, alcohol and reckless driving. 18 year old Ryan Armstrong was driving under the influence when he crashed his car, killing his passenger. According to... Read More

We don't support Internet Explorer

Please use Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge to view this site.