A double-amputee Iraq War veteran who was hurled off a towering roller coaster to his death never should have been allowed on the ride, but park operators will face no criminal charges despite violating park policy, authorities said Wednesday.
Signs at the Ride of Steel roller coaster at Darien Lake Theme Park & Resort clearly state riders "must have two legs," said Genesee County Sheriff Gary Maha, whose office interviewed witnesses and park employees during an investigation that found no recklessness, intent or other criminal wrongdoing.
Sgt. James Hackemer, 29, who'd lost both his legs to a roadside bomb, died Friday when the force of the coaster lifted him out of his seat and its lap bar and seat belt restraints. The veteran struck the front of the eight-car train and fell about 150 feet.
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The ride operators, who were not identified, "clearly knew" Hackemer did not have legs but offered no explanation for why they let him on the coaster that reaches speeds in excess of 70 mph and drops riders more than 200 feet on the first hill.
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At the ride's entrance and exit, white wooden signs measuring about 3 by 4 feet list the restrictions and rules in red letters.
"For the restraint devices on this ride to fully and safely engage, guests must have two legs and be within a certain range of size and physical dimension," the signs read in part, according to the sheriff. Maha said Luffred was in a state of shock after the accident but told police Hackemer didn't say anything during the ride to indicate he was worried about falling out. The car pulled into the loading station with the T-shaped metal lap bar and fabric seatbelt still locked in place.
