The family of late Emporia teenager Ace Garate has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Silver Dollar City and one of its employees.
A nine-page filing in federal court in Joplin, Missouri, claims Gideon Dunn, the primary defendant, was inattentive and following a minivan driven by 41-year-old Carlos Garate too closely when the Garates slowed down to make a turn and Dunn rear-ended the van near Branson on May 15. Ace Garate, 13, was taken to a Branson hospital but was pronounced dead at the facility.
Dunn is now formally accused of two counts of negligence, while Silver Dollar City is listed being “vicariously liable for Defendant Dunn’s negligence” because the incident happened “within the scope and course” of Dunn’s employment with the amusement park.
The lawsuit does not specify the financial damages requested, but the demand is listed at or above $75,000.
