The estate of a Toledo man struck and killed by a hose that came loose from a passing fire engine filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Toledo on Friday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.
Linda H. Ogburn, administrator of the estate of Lonnie Holmes, claims in the suit that the city intentionally removed a safety device intended to secure the fire hoses and nozzles while the vehicle was in motion and did not replace it.
When that fire engine was en route to an emergency Oct. 18, 2014, a hose and nozzle came free and struck Mr. Holmes near Hawley Street and Indiana Avenue. Mr. Holmes, 59, who was riding a bicycle, died three days later in Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center.