(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The family of a 7-year-old boy who died in a boating accident on the South Branch of the Chicago River in July of 2020 is now suing the company that operated the barge that they say is responsible.
Victor Lobato was on a motorboat with his family last July 22 when, investigators say, wake from a passing barge caused the motorboat to capsize near 15th and Lumber Street.
Lobato was trapped under the motorboat, later pulled from the water and taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Attorney Michael Gallagher is filing the lawsuit on behalf of the family against the captain of the tugboat that was pushing the barge in addition to the barge's owner, concrete company Lehigh Hansen.
Gallagher said he has video evidence of the barge kicking up wake shortly before the incident.
"There are both local ordinances, state statutes, and federal guidelines, all of which bar the type of wakes that were created by this tugboat and barge for this exact reason," Gallagher said Thursday.
The Chicago River is a busy waterway, he said, that's used by tour boats, water taxis, kayaks, and personal watercraft. Cargo vessels, he said, must be careful.
"Commercial vessels that are nearly a football field long and weigh hundreds of thousands of pounds have to be cognizant of recreational users like the Lobatos," Gallagher said.
The suit seeks unspecified damages. WBBM has reached out to Lehigh Hansen for comment.
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