The family of a San Diego State University graduate who died after suffering a brain injury from riding a Six Flags Magic Mountain’s rollercoaster in 2022 has settled their lawsuit against the theme park.
Christopher Hawley’s family confirmed that a settlement was reached weeks before trial was set to begin in Los Angeles.
Hawley, 22, visited the park in June 2022 with his younger brother and cousin.
He was the sole rider in his row on the rollercoaster X2, one of the theme park’s top attractions. The family’s lawsuit states that the ride was unusually rough, jerking riders “around like rag dolls” before coming to an abrupt stop.
After exiting the ride that day, the family’s complaint says Hawley had trouble walking, holding onto the railing. He told his brother and his cousin that his head hurt moments before slouching to the ground and losing consciousness.
At the hospital, doctors found that Hawley had sustained a massive brain bleed, the blood pushing his brain out of its normal position. He died on June 24, 2022, one day later.
According to the family’s lawsuit, the coroner determined Hawley’s death was from “head trauma” that he sustained from a “park ride accident.”
The family sued Six Flags and the company that designed the ride in August 2023.
After three years of litigation, on Thursday, weeks before trial was set to begin, the family and the theme park agreed to settle for an undisclosed amount.
“The attorneys at Wisner Baum LLP handling the case for the Hawley family confirmed that the matter has been resolved,” reads a statement from the law firm. “The family is pleased with the outcome. At this time, they respectfully request privacy as they bring this case to a conclusion and move forward together.”
While the settlement may allow Hawley’s family some closure, the park continues to deal with safety complaints and injuries on the X2 coaster
A recent investigation from CNN found that two women suffered brain injuries in July of this year after riding X2; one of them is still in a coma.
Six Flags Theme Parks did not respond to a request for comment on the settlement.
