TINLEY PARK, IL — The mother of a girl who drowned at a Tinley Park-Park District pool in June 2023 is suing the Park District and the Village of Tinley Park, according to court documents.
Hazel Gonzalez, 5, was celebrating her graduation from a pre-kindergarten program at White Water Canyon Water Park, 8221 W. 171st St., on June 30, 2023, when she fatally drowned. Her mother, Megan Bagardo, is now taking legal action against the park district and the Village in a wrongful death lawsuit filed last month in Cook County court.
Hazel was in the zero-depth kids playground and went down the water slide prior to being found unresponsive, the lawsuit states. The suit alleges lifeguards “recklessly failed to be attentive and free from distraction” in observing the play area. It also states the park district ” failed to provide sufficient lifeguards such that all areas of the zero-depth pool, including all areas of the kids playground, were visible to a lifeguard.”
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According to a previous Patch report, paramedics were called just before 4 p.m. to White Water Canyon Water Park for a report of an unresponsive girl pulled from the water. First responders found the 5-year-old in full cardiac arrest, said Tinley Park Fire Chief Steve Klotz. The child had been under the water for an unknown period of time, Klotz said. Lifeguards attempted to revive the girl using CPR and an Automated External Defibrillator. The child was not breathing when transported to Silver Cross Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead, Klotz said.
Filed by law firm Corboy and Demetrio, the suit also claims that water park staff “recklessly failed to provide immediate assistance to Hazel Gonzalez when she was in distress in the water,” to swim alone, and to use the swim area equipment “without arm’s-reach supervision” by staff.
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Hazel is survived by her mother, a brother and three half-sisters, all who “have suffered pecuniary losses as a result of her death, including but not limited to: loss of support, society, companionship, love, affection, protection …” the suit states.
The lawsuit names the Village of Tinley Park as the municipal corporation that owns the swimming pool and water park.
Bagardo’s attorney filed a demand for trial by jury. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $50,000, court records show.
Court records show summons were issued to both the Tinley Park-Park District and Village of Tinley Park on June 27.
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A court date is set for August 29.
Megan Bagardo v. Tinley Park-Park District, Village of Tinley Park by Lauren Traut on Scribd
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