Family files lawsuit over teen killed in landslide at Minneopa State Park

A family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the State of Minnesota after their teen son was killed in a landslide at Minneopa State Park in Blue Earth County in 2023.

Teen dies in landslide

The backstory:

Nineteen-year-old Jack Robert Loso, of Robbinsdale, was killed in the landslide on Dec. 2, 2023.

The Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office was called out to Minneopa State Park, just west of Mankato, around 5 p.m. on the day of the landslide. Loso was visiting the park with his sister and cousin when the earth collapsed, trapping Loso.

After Loso was killed, park officials closed the trails leading to the area of the collapse.

Loso family files lawsuit

Dig deeper:

The lawsuit, filed last week by law firm Storms Dworak LLC on behalf of Loso's family, accuses park officials of setting up a walkway for visitors to enter the area where Loso was killed without recognizing or warning of the inherent dangers of the geological features.

The lawsuit points out that the very same area where Loso was killed, the lower falls of the park, had experienced a landslide two months before Loso was killed. The Minnesota DNR confirmed to FOX 9 on Monday that the trail that leads to the lower falls remains closed.

The lawsuit seeks a judgment totaling more than $150,000 for the wrongful death of Loso and the emotional trauma inflicted on his sister and cousin, who had to endure helplessly as Loso was crushed.

What they're saying:

Storms Dworak Partner Jeffrey Storms wrote in a provided statement: "This was an easily preventable tragedy. The State knowingly directed families like the Losos to a foreseeable and deadly danger without warning."

Storms Dworak Attorney Joseph Heegaard wrote: "Minnesotans should be able to enjoy the outdoors without the fear of being led into a known hazard. When the State is aware of such dangerous conditions, folks trust that the State will not actively guide them into harm’s way. Here, that trust was betrayed."

In a statement to FOX 9, the DNR said: "Our thoughts and condolences continue to be with the family and loved ones of Jack Loso following this tragic loss. Given the active litigation, we cannot comment further at this time."

The Source: A lawsuit filed in Blue Earth County.

MankatoNatural DisastersWild NatureBlue Earth County