Utah Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit After Festival Tragedy
A devastating accident at a Utah music festival has led to a wrongful death lawsuit, as a 23-year-old woman lost her life after being struck by construction debris during severe weather conditions. The tragic incident occurred on October 11, 2025, at the Redwest Country Music Festival in Salt Lake City, where Ava Ahlander sought shelter from a brutal storm only to encounter fatal hazards.
The Fatal Sequence of Events
As severe weather descended upon the Utah State Fairpark, festival organizers instructed attendees to evacuate immediately. Ava Ahlander, an American Fork native who had traveled from Seattle to attend the event, joined the crowd rushing to safety. She reached her vehicle in a nearby parking lot adjacent to the Kier Construction Co. site, seeking refuge from 60mph winds inside her car.
Tragically, after briefly stepping out of her vehicle, Ahlander was immediately struck by a wooden plank that fell approximately 30 feet from above. The impact caused severe injuries that proved fatal two days later, despite medical intervention. The 23-year-old concert enthusiast never regained consciousness after the freak accident.
Legal Action Against Construction Company
Ahlander's heartbroken parents, Richard Ahlander and Mary Harrison, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Utah's Third District Court against Kier Construction Co. The legal complaint alleges the company failed to properly secure their construction site before the festival, creating dangerous hazards that directly led to their daughter's death.
According to the lawsuit, Kier Construction Co. neglected to "remedy or remove hazards from the construction site" despite the anticipated large crowds at the neighboring festival. The company's alleged negligence forms the basis for claims including wrongful death, liability, and failure to maintain proper safety standards in populated areas.
Family Seeks Justice and Prevention
Eric Olson, the family's attorney, emphasized that construction companies have a fundamental responsibility to protect the public when operating near populated areas. "Construction sites that are in a populated area with people next door, whether it's walking by on the sidewalk or on a neighboring property, they've got to be properly maintained and protected, so that the public doesn't get hurt," Olson told The Salt Lake Tribune.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages to cover medical and funeral expenses, with the exact amount to be determined at trial. Beyond financial compensation, the family hopes to prevent similar tragedies. "It's something that should have never happened and there are code requirements... that specifically require contractors to take these sort of precautions," Olson stated, adding that the family wants to ensure this never happens to another family.
A Life Cut Short
Ava Ahlander has been remembered as "a beautiful soul whose kindness, warmth and adventurous spirit touched everyone around her," according to a GoFundMe page established after her death. The fundraiser, which has since been paused, collected over $34,000 to assist with expenses and memorial arrangements.
In a final act of generosity that reflected her compassionate nature, Ahlander donated her organs after passing away. Her family described this as her "final act of generosity that truly reflects her caring nature and desire to help those in need." Any remaining donations from the fundraiser were directed to charity in her name, extending "her legacy of compassion."
According to her uncle Bobby, Ahlander was an "avid concert goer" who specifically traveled from Seattle to see headliner Post Malone. She grew up in American Fork, approximately 30 minutes from Salt Lake City, before relocating to the Seattle area. "Ava was an absolute delight of a human being. Everyone loved her. She had the best smile," her uncle wrote in a heartfelt social media tribute.
Festival Cancellation and Weather Conditions
The Redwest Country Music Festival was scheduled to run from October 10-12, featuring major artists including Post Malone, Noah Kahan, and Kacey Musgraves. However, organizers cancelled the event on its second day as severe weather conditions intensified. Festivalgoers were urged to collect their belongings and seek shelter around 5:15pm as the storm approached.
The dangerous weather resulted from Tropical Storm Priscilla, which had been downgraded from hurricane status but still brought 60mph winds and heavy rainfall across Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado that weekend. The combination of high winds and inadequate construction site security created the perfect storm of circumstances that led to this preventable tragedy.
The Daily Mail has contacted both Kier Construction Co. and attorney Eric Olson for comment regarding the lawsuit. The music festival itself was not named in the legal action, focusing responsibility squarely on the construction company's alleged safety failures. As the case proceeds through Utah's court system, it raises important questions about construction site safety protocols near public events and the legal responsibilities of companies operating in populated areas.
