LaMelo Ball Faces Lawsuit After Allegedly Driving Over Child’s Foot
LaMelo Ball, the rising star of the Charlotte Hornets, is now facing a lawsuit from the family of an 11-year-old boy. The incident allegedly occurred during a fan event outside the Spectrum Arena in Charlotte last October. Let’s delve into the details.
On October 7, 2023, during the Purple and Teal Day – Charlotte’s annual fan festival- fans, including the 11-year-old boy, gathered around LaMelo Ball’s vehicle at a traffic light. When the light turned green, Ball drove “in a grossly negligent and reckless manner,” accelerating suddenly and without warning. He allegedly struck the boy, severely injuring him, suffering foot and back injuries due to the incident.
The family asserts that Ball ignored their son’s request for an autograph during the fan event. They attempted to settle the dispute through Ball’s insurance to cover the child’s medical bills. However, the police report required for the claim lacked essential information, including Ball’s insurer and even his name. Consequently, the family decided to pursue legal action, believing that the court system is their only recourse.
The child endured both physical and emotional wounds, which took months to heal. Tamaria McRae, the child’s mother, expressed the emotional toll:
“For a while, I couldn’t even recognize who my child was because, like depression, not being able to go outside and play. It’s been rough. It’s been real rough. I mean, like, I’m a strong person. This broke me. This right here, it really did.”
In addition to LaMelo Ball, the family is also suing the Charlotte Hornets organization.They believe the franchise should have taken more precautionary measures to protect fans during up-close interactions with players.
LaMelo Ball’s reputation for driving has been a topic of discussion during his time in Charlotte. Now, this lawsuit adds a new layer of complexity to his career. As the legal proceedings unfold, the impact on both the player and the team remains to be seen.
