Colorado jury awards family $205M after 6-year-old falls to death from theme park ride
Share this @internewscast.com

A Colorado jury has mandated a local theme park and others to pay $205 million to the family of a 6-year-old girl who tragically fell over 100 feet to her death from a ride.

The verdict, issued Friday at Garfield County District Court, is among the largest wrongful death awards for a single plaintiff in state history.

Wongel Estifanos, hailing from Colorado Springs, was at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park with her family during Labor Day weekend in 2021 when the accident occurred on the Haunted Mine Drop.

Investigation paperwork reviewed by Fox News Digital shows Estifanos was not buckled into her seat properly before the ride started.

Estifanos family with Wongel

Wongel Estifanos dropped 10 stories to her death from a ride at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.  (Rahel Estifanos and Estifanos Dagne)

Kimberly Marcum, Glenwood Caverns marketing director, stated that co-defendant Soaring Eagle Inc. had “produced the Haunted Mine Drop with a faulty restraint system, leading to this tragic incident.”

Marcum also indicated the manufacturer had certified the attraction as safe despite a defective restraint system. 

“Our sympathies are with the Estifanos family,” Marcum expressed, noting that Glenwood Caverns is “considering all possibilities to continue operations, serve our guests, and contribute to the community.”

Prosecutors opted not to file criminal charges against Glenwood Caverns, due to difficulties in proving manslaughter, though the civil trial allowed Estifanos’ family their opportunity to be heard in court.

“They are grateful to the people of Garfield County for being so kind to them during this long trial,” added Caplis in his statement.

Fox News Digital also contacted Soaring Eagle Inc for comment, but did not hear back.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Disrupted assassination plot targeted pro-Palestinian activist, Within Our Lifetime co-founder Nerdeen Kiswani in Hoboken, NJ

Foiled Assassination Plot Targets Pro-Palestinian Activist Nerdeen Kiswani in Hoboken, NJ: Within Our Lifetime Co-Founder Safe

HOBOKEN, N.J. — A potential assassination scheme targeting a pro-Palestinian activist in…
Biden adopts two puppies after his previous dogs terrorized White House personnel 

Biden Welcomes Two New Puppies to the White House After Previous Dog Drama

Joe Biden, the former President, along with his wife Jill, recently welcomed…
Chicago crime: Nassie Mason, Erving Harris targeted contractor Jerry Lewis in fatal shooting on Madison near United Center

Fatal Shooting Near United Center: Nassie Mason and Erving Harris Charged in Contractor Jerry Lewis’ Death

CHICAGO (WLS) — In a recent development, two men from Chicago have…
Pima County deputy accused of kidnapping woman in custody, fired from department investigating Guthrie case

Pima County Deputy Terminated Amid Kidnapping Allegations in Guthrie Investigation

An Arizona sheriff’s deputy has been dismissed from his position following serious…
DUI suspect passed out behind the wheel in auto-driving Tesla

Autonomous Tesla Incident: DUI Suspect Found Asleep at the Wheel

A driver found himself in a precarious situation when he was discovered…
VP Vance claims Rep. Ilhan Omar 'definitely committed immigration fraud' by allegedly marrying brother

VP Vance Alleges Rep. Ilhan Omar Engaged in Immigration Fraud Through Alleged Marriage to Brother

On Friday, Vice President JD Vance accused Representative Ilhan Omar of deceiving…
DHS funding live updates as Senate-approved bill heads to House

Senate Advances Crucial DHS Funding Bill: Live Updates as House Prepares for Critical Vote

Just before heading into a two-week recess, the Senate devised a plan…
No Kings protests score City funds to sow chaos in California

City Funds Controversy: How ‘No Kings’ Protests are Sparking Unrest in California

Taxpayer dollars are once again being channeled toward supporting disruptive activism in…
Iran gives flimsy excuse why Mojtaba Khamenei hasn't been seen

Unraveling the Mystery: Why Iran’s Mojtaba Khamenei’s Absence Raises Eyebrows

Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who has been the subject…
VP Vance reveals the shocking truth about fed fraud prosecution

VP Vance Unveils Startling Details on Federal Fraud Cases

Vice President J.D. Vance has made a bold assertion regarding the U.S.…
Expected next CPS CEO Macquline King wasn't always on top of school board members' lists, many say she's proven herself

From Underdog to Top Contender: How Macquline King Won Over CPS School Board Members

CHICAGO — Macquline King, a proud product of Chicago Public Schools, is…
Israel says Iranian leader who ordered Strait of Hormuz closure killed in targeted strike

Iranian Commander Behind Strait of Hormuz Threat Neutralized in Precision Israeli Strike: Impact on Global Oil Routes

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announced that Alireza Tangsiri, the head of…