Settlement Reached in Boy’s Drowning Case at Adventureland

POLK COUNTY, Iowa — The family of 11-year-old Michael Jaramillo, who drowned at Adventureland amusement park in 2021, has settled with the park’s former owners. The settlement was announced just before a trial was scheduled to begin on Monday.

Michael, of Marion, died on July 3, 2021, when the raft he was riding on the Raging River ride overturned, trapping him underwater. His 15-year-old brother survived the incident but spent weeks in a medically induced coma.

The lawsuit accused Adventureland’s former owners of failing to maintain safety standards on the ride, including accusations of using outdated rafts and making unauthorized modifications. Although the ride passed inspection immediately before the accident, the family’s attorney, Fred Dorr, argued that the 1,700-pound raft was faulty.

On the eve of the trial, Dorr reported reaching a confidential settlement with Adventure Lands of America, Inc. and its former CEO, Michael Krantz. “The reality of what might happen to them at trial puts a massive amount of pressure on them,” he said.

David Jaramillo Sr., Michael’s father, has reflected on his loss, saying, “I’m blessed to have my son for eleven years. He belongs to God first.” He shared that no amount of money could replace their child, emphasizing the need for safety reforms in the amusement park industry.

In a statement following the settlement, the Jaramillo family expressed their hopes for increased safety in amusement parks nationwide. They stated, “The facts learned over the course of this litigation raise serious concerns regarding the safety and oversight of the amusement park industry as a whole.”