SANDUSKY, Ohio — A settlement has been reached between Cedar Fair and Rachel Hawes in a lawsuit connected to an August 2021 incident in which a bracket came off the Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster at Cedar Point and struck her in the back of the head while she was waiting in line.
3News received the following statement joint statement from Cedar Point and the Hawes family on Monday morning:
"The Hawes family and Cedar Fair, L.P. have mutually agreed to resolve a legal claim arising from the injury Rachel Hawes sustained while standing in line for the Top Thrill Dragster on August 15, 2021. Rachel suffered a life changing injury but has been blessed with a tremendous support network that, along with her resilience, has helped on her journey towards recovery. Rachel truly appreciates all the public’s support and prayers and Cedar Fair’s cooperation and open communication with her family and their counsel. While terms of the settlement are confidential, the parties were able to come to a fair and equitable agreement that satisfies both parties."
Hawes, of Swartz Creek, Michigan, was hospitalized after the incident and the ride was closed.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture -- which oversees the state's amusement parks -- released a 620-page report months later, declaring there was “insufficient evidence to find the action or inactions of Cedar Point violated any of the laws.” You can review that report HERE.
“Cedar Point has cooperated fully with ODA throughout its investigation into the incident and we will closely review the substance of ODA’s report," park officials said in a statement after the ODA report was released.
News of the lawsuit settlement comes just weeks before Cedar Point is set to open its revamped version of the Top Thrill Dragster known as Top Thrill 2. The updated coaster features three high-speed launches between two 420-foot towers, with the final launch taking riders at speeds of 120 mph.
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