A tragic incident involving an elderly passenger with dementia has led to serious allegations against Spirit Airlines, following the heartbreaking death of Marcos Humberto Vindel Osorio. The 75-year-old, who had flown in from Honduras, disappeared upon arrival at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport two years ago. Shockingly, his body was later discovered on the side of a busy highway, miles away from the airport.
Osorio’s untimely death, caused by being struck by multiple vehicles, has left his family devastated. In response, they filed a lawsuit on April 22, accusing Spirit Airlines of negligence. This legal action came just days before the airline declared bankruptcy, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
The Osorio family contends that Spirit Airlines had been notified about Marcos’ dementia prior to his flight. They claim that the airline assured them that assistance would be provided for Marcos’ safe arrival and transition at the airport. However, according to the lawsuit, such assistance was never given, as reported by the Independent.
On that fateful evening, Yisell Osorio, Marcos’ daughter, along with other family members, anxiously awaited his arrival at an airport checkpoint. Despite the flight landing at 7 p.m., Marcos never appeared, prompting the family to alert the authorities in a desperate bid to locate him.
Yisell Osorio, Marcos’ daughter, and other relatives were waiting for him at a checkpoint inside the airport where after the flight landed at 7 p.m.
The Osorio family became concerned when Marcos did not show up, and called the police.
Later, Customs and Border Patrol told them that Marcos had already gone through customs by 7:43 p.m., according to the suit.
“This family has suffered an unimaginable loss,” the Osorio family’s attorney, Russ Brudner, told the Independent.
“They trusted an airline to keep their father safe for the last few miles of his journey home. That trust was broken in the most devastating way possible. We filed this lawsuit on their behalf because what happened to Marcos should never happen to anyone, and Spirit Airlines must be held accountable.”
Normally, an automatic stay issued by a judge would shield Spirit Airlines from any liability given they are in the process of liquidation.
However, because the Osorio family’s lawsuit was filed on April 22, they are technically a creditor in bankruptcy proceedings if Spirit is found liable, and Spirit must resolve the suit as part of its bankruptcy proceedings.
The Osorio family is seeking compensatory damages, survival damages and wrongful death damages, plus interest, for mental anguish; loss of companionship and burial and funeral expenses, according to the Independent.
The Post has reached out to Spirit Airlines for comment.
