COLUMBUS, Ohio — One of the survivors of a ride that broke apart at the Ohio State Fair seven years ago is set to receive $20 million as part of a judgment made in a New Jersey court.
The court awarded $78 million to four injured parties on Friday, one of which included Keziah Lewis.
Lewis was severely injured when the Fire Ball ride fell apart on July 26, 2017. She suffered multiple broken bones after she was thrown 50 feet into another gondola before she hit the concrete. Her boyfriend, 18-year-old Tyler Jarrell, died in the accident. Six other people were also injured.
Lewis' lawyer, Sean Alto, said the court's ruling proves that KMG, the ride manufacturer, was aware of the defect in the ride as early as 2012 and failed to alert ride owners across the nation. The cause of the accident was blamed on excessive corrosion in a steel support beam.
Alto said Lewis had more than $2 million in medical bills.
Ohio lawmakers passed a bill named after Lewis' boyfriend in 2019. Tyler's Law carries stronger safety measures and standards for amusement rides.
It's unclear if KMG will appeal the court's ruling.
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