The parents of a young woman who was fatally involved in an accident at a Jeep fundraiser event in 2013 are demanding the province of Alberta create legislation that requires safety plans for such events.
At a recent fatality inquiry examining the untimely passing of Melinda Green at a May 2013 charity fundraiser called Jeeps Go Topless, parents John and Mira Green made known their request.
“We would like to see enough change that safety becomes a priority rather than it is an inconvenience to have… regulations,” Mira Green told
CityNews.
Witnesses testified during the inquiry that the show did not have a safety plan in place, nor event insurance. Witnesses also claimed that the event did not require a city permit since it was held on private property, in an Edmonton shopping center parking lot.
“Public safety [should] be the first in people’s minds when they plan these kinds of events,” Mira commented.
Melinda was 20 years old when a stunt attempt to stack a Jeep vehicle on top of the other went awry. One of the vehicles ended up rolling on its side during the stunt, crushing her between two Jeeps.
The driver operating the Jeep that struck Melinda testified in September that the vehicle jumped forward the moment he started the engine, instead of rolling back.
One of the show’s organizers also previously testified that they were careful to keep the crowd a safe distance away from the vehicles as they attempted the stunt. Spectators, however, were allowed to approach once one Jeep was atop the other with the engine off and the emergency brake engaged—it was during such an instance that the accident happened.
David Aitken, manager of community standards for Edmonton, attested that it would be more effective if the provincial government brought in regulations rather than just the city. He explained that a provincial approach would be best “so that all Albertans have a sense of security.”
Lawyer Michael Teeling suggested that the risk posed by stunt events could be dealt with by the province by amending the Traffic Safety Act.
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