The Latest Breaking News from Nekia Dodd

Family of 14-year-old killed in fall from Florida ride awarded $310m by jury

The parents of Tyre Sampson were awarded $155m each over horrific 2022 accident at ICON Park

The Independent UK · Dec 6, 2024

Mother of boy killed on Florida amusement ride watches it get demolished: ‘It’s a bittersweet moment’

Nekia Dodd visited the attraction for the first time after the Department of Agriculture and the park reached an agreement to demolish the ride

The Independent UK · Mar 16, 2023

Tyre Sampson’s mom settles lawsuit against Free Fall owner, ICON Park

ORLANDO, Fla. — Standing in front of the Orlando Free Fall drop tower where her 14-year-old son Tyre Sampson lost his life nearly a year ago, Nekia Dodd and her lawyer announced Wednesday they had reached a settlement with ride owner Orlando Slingshot and landlord ICON Park in the civil…

Orlando Sentinel · Mar 15, 2023

Orlando Free Fall to be torn down after 14-year-old's death

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Free Fall, a drop tower from which 14-year-old tourist Tyre Sampson fell to his death in March, will be taken down, the attraction’s operators said Thursday.

Orlando Sentinel · Oct 7, 2022

Mother of teen killed in plunge from Florida theme park ride speaks out as family file wrongful death suit

Lawsuit says safeguards could have stopped Tyre from falling

The Independent UK · Apr 26, 2022

Mother: Son's death on Florida ride could've been prevented

The parents of a 14-year-old boy who fell to his death from a 430-foot drop-tower ride in central Florida’s tourist district have sued its owner, manufacturer and landlord, claiming they were negligent and failed to provide a safe amusement ride

The Independent UK · Apr 26, 2022

Orlando Free Fall ride operators altered safety features before teen’s death, report says

ORLANDO, Fla. — An engineering firm hired by the state found that the operator of the Orlando Free Fall drop tower manually changed sensors on specific seats on the ride, “resulting in it being unsafe,” Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said Monday in Orlando.

Orlando Sentinel · Apr 19, 2022

Chiefs DE Frank Clark’s foundation establishing ‘Tyre Sampson Scholarship Fund’

#Chiefs DE Frank Clark's foundation is establishing a scholarship fund to honor the memory of late St. Louis teen Tyre Sampson.

USA Today Sports Media Group · Apr 14, 2022

Attorneys Ben Crump, Bob Hilliard to represent family of boy who fell off ICON park ride

ORLANDO, Fla. — The family of the 14-year-old boy who fell to his death while on the Orlando Free Fall ride at ICON Park late Thursday will be represented by civil rights lawyer Ben Crump and personal injury attorney Bob Hilliard, according to a press release.

Orlando Sentinel · Mar 26, 2022