How did Ryan Fellows die? Family of 'Street Outlaws' star sues Discovery for risking actor's life for financial gain
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: The family of late star Ryan Fellows from 'Street Outlaws: Fastest in America' are suing TV networks and scores of studios for their negligence leading to Ryan's death in a car crash. His family claimed the media giants placed Ryan's life at risk by putting their financial needs first by selecting a roadway that was incautious and unsafe to race.
In addition, Ryan's family is suing Warner Bros, Discovery and Lions Gate Entertainment, and others who contributed to the events leading to his tragic fiery car crash. The suit alleges the location selected by the Discovery series for 'Street Outlaws' was unsuited. It is revealed the site was extremely dangerous to hold races on the roadway as it was dusty, weather-beaten, rough asphalt 55-mile-per-hour roadway in the Las Vegas desert, according to TMZ. The suit stated the location did not meet any of the industry safety standards for drag racing.
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How did Ryan Fellows die?
Ryan Fellows died last year on August 8, at the age of 41. Sources reported moments leading to the racer's death, Ryan lost control of his car near the finish line before the vehicle flipped over multiple times and caught fire. The suit alleges the road featured broken asphalt which caused racecars to lose traction. They claimed the roads were so narrow that drivers had no room for corrections.
In the docs, Ryan's family claimed the industry standard roadway is 30 feet wide while the roadway where Ryan crashed was only 12 feet. They added Warner Bros. Discovery was aware the road was not befitted for racing and that it was extremely dangerous however it was an "extreme departure from what a reasonable careful person would do in the same situation to prevent harm to others," the family said.
'They waited for the next inevitable crash!'
The family claimed the media co-operations had every opportunity to move to a safer location after "numerous horrific crashes," witnessing cars, flip, roll, and catch fire but the company turned a blind eye and instead they "sat back, flipped on the lights and cameras, and waited for the next inevitable crash." The suit alleges when Ryan's car crashed, it was on fire for more than 30 minutes with the driver inside before the fire crew arrived. Ryan was found burned to death.
The lawsuit also noted it was only after Ryan's death, the network moved to a 75-feet wide drag strip at a professional California raceway. The family says the sudden change only "proves the availability and feasibility of a safer alternative to the unsafe desert roadway." The lawsuit is seeking damages for filming life-threatening collisions and airing them on TV for financial profit.