Park knew tree was dangerous before it killed an 8-year-old, lawsuit says
- Eight-year-old Lamar McGlothurn was killed in July 2025 after a 100-pound tree branch fell on him while he was sitting with his parents at a picnic table at King Gillette Ranch in California.
- The branch snapped without warning, fatally crushing the boy. Four other people were also injured.
- The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) accepted most of the financial responsibility after evidence, including a text message, indicated park officials knew the tree was in poor condition.
- Lamar’s family received a $14.35 million settlement from the MRCA, along with an additional $300,000 in settlements from Gomez Landscape & Tree Care and Camp Wildcraft.
- The MRCA also paid $4.65 million to six other people affected by the incident.
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