Tinley Park Mayor Michael W. Glotz | Village of Tinley Park
Tinley Park Mayor Michael W. Glotz | Village of Tinley Park
Michael Glotz, the mayor of the village of Tinley Park, stated he had instructed the plaintiff's attorney to remove the village from a lawsuit concerning a recent drowning at a local pool as there was "no nexus between the village and injuries sustained." The statement was made in a press release on July 20.
"As a separate legal entity, the Park District levies its own taxes, manages, purchases, and sells its own property, and controls all of its employees, including, but not limited to, hiring, firing, training, discipline and compensation. Said employees are not employees of the Village and the Village exercises no control over the management of the Tinley Park Park District properties, which includes White Water Canyon Water Park," said Glotz.
On July 30, 2023, a 5-year-old girl drowned at White Water Canyon Water Park in Tinley Park shortly before 4 PM. Lifeguards attempted to rescue her, but she died. It is unknown how long she was underwater. She was pulled out of the water and taken to the hospital where she was declared dead.
The 5-year-old girl has been identified as Hazel Gonzales, who was celebrating the end of her prekindergarten program at the water park. According to a lawsuit filed for wrongful death against the Village of Tinley Park by Megan Bagardo, mother of the deceased, she alleges that the park district "failed to provide sufficient lifeguards such that all areas of the zero-depth pool, including all areas of the kids' playground, were visible to a lifeguard."
A spokesperson for Tinley Park-Park District said, "the Tinley Park-Park District Board Commissioners and entire Park District staff were deeply saddened by last year’s tragedy. Lifeguards acted bravely and were the first on the scene to provide emergency care and assist the responding emergency authorities."
The lawsuit against the Village of Tinley Park labels the municipal corporation as the owner of both the swimming pool and water park. The plaintiffs are seeking damages of $50,000. The court case will commence on August 29, with Bagardo's attorney demanding a trial by jury.
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