Concern came from around the nation Monday for the family of a 6-year-old boy killed over the weekend during a monster truck show in the Tacoma Dome.
At the same time, city workers examined pieces of the behemoth truck involved in the accident and said Tacoma’s Risk Management Office hopes to determine the next steps in the investigation by midweek.
Sebastian Hizey, a Graham Elementary School kindergartner, died early Saturday after what his father described as a Frisbee-sized piece of metal flew out from under the wheels of a truck and into the stands, striking the boy in the head.
Eric Smith, an adult spectator also injured in the accident, was listed in serious condition Monday at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma. No official details of his injuries were released, but witnesses said it appeared a piece of metal sliced into his neck and jaw.
His family issued a brief statement of “deepest sympathy to Sebastian’s family.”
“Our family member was seriously injured and we deeply desire privacy at this time,” the statement concluded.
News of the accident swept across the country in print and on television, prompting many to contact The News Tribune asking how they might help.
Sebastian’s mom, Phyllis, said a fund is being set up at US Bank, but it won’t be operational until later this week. The family worked on funeral arrangements Monday but no details were available.
“I just hold them in my heart,” Lynda Beyers of Puyallup said Monday afternoon. Her 4-year-old “monster-truck mad” grandson, Gavin Crow, attended Saturday’s show, one of five that drew some 70,000 people to the Dome over the weekend.
“I woke up this morning and the first thing I thought of was that little boy,” Beyers said. “I know there’s probably nothing I could do to make them feel better, but if I could just give Mama a little hug ... ”
In Anacortes, 20-year-old Amanda Perkins set out a sign with Sebastian’s photograph near a jar at Fidalgo Bay Xpress Lube with the message: “100% of our tips will be donated to the family of 6-year-old Sebastian Hizey, killed Friday at the monster truck show Monster Jam in Tacoma.”
People do tip their oil changers, said Perkins who’s studying nursing at Skagit Valley College.
She brought in a huge jar to hold donations, said her dad, Rod Perkins, who manages the business and races sprint cars.
“When she heard that something like this happened, it just broke her heart,” he said. By the end of the day Monday, there was around $30 in the kitty, he added.
In Tacoma, the investigation into the accident continued, but no cause was released. And there’s been no official description of the metal that flew in the stands at the east end of the Dome as the monster truck Natural High performed.
The huge trucks, with tires 5-feet high and weighing 9,000 pounds or more, spin and do wheelies and smash into objects during the popular shows. The Monster Jam performances are popular across the nation.
Tacoma’s Risk Management Office is coordinating the investigation because the accident occurred at the city-owned Dome, spokesman Rob McNair-Huff said.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to say more within the next day or so,” he added.
The owner of Natural High left the vehicle behind for further examination, McNair-Huff said.
The red-and-silver Chevrolet SSR reportedly been disabled earlier in the show and was removed by forklift. It returned later and was spinning doughnuts when parts of it apparently disintegrated and flew into the crowd of 10,000.
“As soon as it happened, there were workers in (Monster Jam) T-shirts out there gathering up all these parts,” witness Christine Moe said Monday.
The show’s promoter, Feld Motor Sports, said investigators were focusing on the truck’s drive train and drive train loop.
Kris Sherman: 253-597-8659
Stacey Mulick: 253-597-8268
blogs.thenewstribune.com/crime
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.