ORLANDO, Fla. — The man who was inside a truck as a tree came crashing down on it said he’s suing the city of Orlando because he believes it could have been prevented.
Trino Valdez said the city should have cut down the 3-ton oak five years before the accident.
In the paperwork, the driver said the tree in Dickson Azalea Park on Robinson Street was put on a watch list in 2007.
The crash happened in 2012.
Valdez has undergone three surgeries and racked up more than $500,000 in medical bills.
He said he’s still heavily medicated daily and that life will never be the same.
Initially, the city said they did not have notice of any problems and that it was an act of nature.
Valdez and his attorney call the laurel oaks ‘land mines’ and said if the city won’t take responsibility in the case, they’re concerned there could be many more.
“There’s a large possibility that there are many ticking time bombs around the city of Orlando that are waiting to explode at any moment,” said attorney Matt Morgan.
The city would not comment on pending litigation.
WFTV
