William Valadez Ramirez, right, was killed on June 14, 2021, when a mud bog car crashed into spectators in Texas. (Crash screenshot from local ABC affiliate KVIA-TV; Victim’s photo from his family’s attorney)
The family of a mud bog race spectator killed when a dragster lost control and plowed into a crowd at an event in Texas has filed a $60 million lawsuit blaming security for dangerous conditions that led to the tragedy.
A trial is set to start in El Paso County on Monday in the case of William Valadez Ramirez, killed on June 14, 2021, near Fabens, south of El Paso. Three others injured — two teachers and a minor are also named as plaintiffs.
Francisco Valadez Jr. said he saw his brother like a son, El Paso’s NBC affiliate KTSM reported.
“We spent so many years together and we worked together for so many years, we traveled a lot,” he said. “It was just me and him and when I lost him, I mean, my life, it’s not been the same, it changed.”
“I just hate seeing my parents this sad all the time, alone. And since he passed, we don’t celebrate Christmas, we’re just alone all the time.”
The family’s attorney, Kevin Glasheen, called it a poorly planned amateur event.
The barriers were inadequate, and security allowed spectators into a safety setback zone. A pipe fence separated the crowd from the racetrack, but spectators were supposed to be kept about 20 feet away from the railing, behind a chalk line that security failed to enforce.
Court filings said the defendants blamed the driver for losing control and spectators for ignoring warnings.
“The security company knew the barricades were inadequate, and even questioned why there were not concrete barricades to protect the crowd,” Glasheen told Law&Crime in an email. “A security company should not accept a job that involves responsibility for spectator safety when they know the spectators are not going to be safe.”
The lawsuit initially named the event promoter but withdrew it after learning it had no assets. Rock Solid Protection Security attorney Drew Thomas did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Law&Crime.
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