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As of March 2023, no one has been arrested yet for Tyre Sampsons death. But if they are, they could be looking at very serious charges. The FreeFall is gone and the State of Florida has fined the owner $250,000.But from the beginning, a lot of people have wondered if anyone would be arrested.Our WESH 2 legal analyst David Haas says the most serious charges could include involuntary manslaughter.Related: Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot reaches settlement with state after 14-year-old falls from ride"When you talk about who could be charged with that, you're talking about operators, the owners," he said. The State Agriculture Department first investigated, then left the possibility of criminal charges to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, which tells WESH 2 its work is not done."No determinations have been made about criminal charges at this time, especially when theres a death, youre looking for an intentional act, some sort of willfulness. In this case, its sort of the opposite of that. Its recklessness that caused a death," Haas said. Related: Florida officials to levy hefty fines against Slingshot Group in teen's Free Fall deathWorkers at the FreeFall were apparently worried about it. The Agriculture Departments report says maintenance workers they interviewed pled the Fifth Amendment to protect against self-incrimination.Haas says prosecutors will look at the changes to the safety harnesses and why Sampson was allowed on when he weighed more than the ride's recommended limit. "Wanton disregard, basically. It's like whatever happens, happens. And that's where I think if there will be substance to any sort of charge if that happens," Haas said.There have been other cases like this. The owner of Kansas City water park Schlitterbahn was arrested for murder after a child was killed on a slide in 2016. But a judge later dismissed that case.Authorities haven't said anything about whether they're focusing on the workers who physically operated the ride or the FreeFall's owners.

As of March 2023, no one has been arrested yet for Tyre Sampsons death. But if they are, they could be looking at very serious charges.

The FreeFall is gone and the State of Florida has fined the owner $250,000.

But from the beginning, a lot of people have wondered if anyone would be arrested.

Our WESH 2 legal analyst David Haas says the most serious charges could include involuntary manslaughter.

Related: Orlando Eagle Drop Slingshot reaches settlement with state after 14-year-old falls from ride

"When you talk about who could be charged with that, you're talking about operators, the owners," he said.

The State Agriculture Department first investigated, then left the possibility of criminal charges to the Orange County Sheriff's Office, which tells WESH 2 its work is not done.

"No determinations have been made about criminal charges at this time, especially when theres a death, youre looking for an intentional act, some sort of willfulness. In this case, its sort of the opposite of that. Its recklessness that caused a death," Haas said.

Related: Florida officials to levy hefty fines against Slingshot Group in teen's Free Fall death

Workers at the FreeFall were apparently worried about it.

The Agriculture Departments report says maintenance workers they interviewed pled the Fifth Amendment to protect against self-incrimination.

Haas says prosecutors will look at the changes to the safety harnesses and why Sampson was allowed on when he weighed more than the ride's recommended limit.

"Wanton disregard, basically. It's like whatever happens, happens. And that's where I think if there will be substance to any sort of charge if that happens," Haas said.

There have been other cases like this.

The owner of Kansas City water park Schlitterbahn was arrested for murder after a child was killed on a slide in 2016. But a judge later dismissed that case.

Authorities haven't said anything about whether they're focusing on the workers who physically operated the ride or the FreeFall's owners.

Originally posted here:
1 year after FreeFall tragedy: Where the criminal investigation stands - WESH 2 Orlando