The family of a 10-year-old boy who tragically died in a jet ski accident this summer has filed a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit, according to court documents. The suit is directed at the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America. People Reports.
Jack Gear, of Union City, Tennessee, was killed on July 16 while attending a summer camp at the Boxwell Reservation as part of the Tennessee National Guard’s Youth Development Week. Court documents, filed in Tennessee’s 20th Judicial District Circuit Court, detail the events leading up to the accident.
According to the complaintGear was riding a jet ski operated by a 19-year-old camp employee when another jet ski, driven by a second camp employee, collided with them. “The force of the impact between the jet skis was so great that Jack was fatally injured and the driver of the jet ski Jack was riding was seriously injured,” the complaint alleges.
The lawsuit claims that Gear’s death was the result of “negligence and reckless conduct” by employees, agents and representatives of the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America. It also notes that the use of personal watercraft, such as jet skis, is prohibited by the Boy Scouts’ “Guide to Safe Scouting.” It is unclear whether the camp obtained a waiver to operate the vehicles.
The complaint also notes that both boat operators were born after Jan. 1, 1989, meaning they were required by law to complete the Boating Safety Examination and possess a Boating Safety Education Certificate to legally operate a personal watercraft.
Neither the Boy Scouts of America nor Jack Gear’s parents, Xson and Crystalyn Gear, have responded to requests for additional comment on the pending lawsuit. A spokesperson for the Boxwell Reservation has also remained silent.
In a statement to McClatchy NewsA Boy Scouts of America representative said: “Scouting America is deeply saddened by the passing of Jack Gear and we offer our condolences to his family and friends. As this is ongoing litigation, we will not be commenting further.”
Jack Gear had just finished fourth grade and was about to start at Union City Middle School. His obituary described him as a kid who loved reading and video games, noting, “He was loved by everyone and will be greatly missed.”