Boy, 3, crushed to death by park monument was rushed to hospital where mom works as nurse: ‘Unimaginable’
The heartbroken parents of a 3-year-old boy are suing after he was crushed to death by a monument at a Washington state park.
Little Kaleb Ortega was with his dad and sister at Rooks Park in Walla Walla on April 1 when a massive monument fell on the boy and fatally injured him, the Union-Bulletin reported this week.
His mom, Claudia Garcia, was working as a nurse when her son arrived at her hospital by ambulance, causing her severe emotional trauma, the outlet reported that the lawsuit alleges.
Now, Garcia and her husband, Miguel Ortega, are suing multiple companies for emotional-distress damages, the outlet reported.
The family has raised more than $59,000 on GoFundMe after an outpouring of support.
“On what started as a normal, happy day filled with play, an unimaginable accident occurred that took Kaleb from us far too soon. No one could have anticipated the heartbreak that would follow,” the fundraising page’s description reads. “While we are overwhelmed with grief, we are also holding tightly to the countless beautiful memories he gave us memories that feel like precious gifts.”
An update on the page, from April 18, thanks supporters “for the overwhelming love, prayers, and support you have continued to show our family during this incredibly difficult time.”
The lawsuit was filed May 12 against Boulder Designs, Boulder Magic, Builders FirstSource, American Rock Products, Wenzel Nursery, Neil Binder and the Binder marital community, and Double T Construction, the Union-Bulletin reported.
The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Post on Monday.
According to the outlet, the companies have not yet responded to the lawsuit.
The suit did not specify how much the family is seeking in compensation.
The monument at the Capt. Albert H. Rooks/USS Houston CA-30 memorial was renovated in 2019 as part of an Eagle Scout project — but the lawsuit maintains that it was heavy, unstable and lacked warnings that it could pose a hazard.
“THEY SAY THE MOST HEARTBREAKING PART WASN’T THE ACCIDENT — IT WAS WHO WAS WAITING AT THE HOSPITAL”
What began as an ordinary day at the park turned into a nightmare no family could have imagined when a 3-year-old boy was critically injured after a massive monument suddenly collapsed.
