State Fair answers awaited

Nearly a month after an accident on an N.C. State Fair ride that resulted in five people injured and two arrests, answers still have not surfaced.

The accident, which occurred on the Vortex ride, happened Oct. 24. The ride operator, Timothy Dwayne Tutterrow, 46, was arrested Oct. 26 and has been in custody of Wake County police since. He made his second court appearance on Monday.

Tutterow’s bail was reduced from $225,000 to $100,000, but his three charges of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious bodily injury remain, according to the Associated Press.

Capt. Jimmy Stevens, spokesman for the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, could not comment on the details of the case.

“It’s in the district attorney’s hands,” he said.

Also according to the Associated Press, public records of the safety inspections and investigation of the Vortex ride were seized by the Wake County Sheriff’s Office.

The Vortex is owned and operated by the Family Attractions Amusement Company. Employee Joshua Macaroni turned himself in Nov. 7 and is being charged with three counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon.

Macaroni was arrested, processed and released on the same day, his lawyer Daniel Boyce said. He posted a $225,000 bond and is pleading not guilty to the charges, he said.

Jessica Smith, UNC professor of public law and government, said a deadly weapon is any item that can potentially kill someone.

“The state must prove either that the defendant had the actual intent to strike the victim … or that the defendant acted with culpable negligence,” she said in an email.

WakeMed hospitals would not release information on the conditions of three of the victims — Anthony Gorham, 29; Kisha Gorham, 39; and an unnamed 14-year-old — because family members requested privacy. The other two were released.

Hours after the fair ended, another accident occurred. Anesto Newell, a Powers Great American Midways worker, was injured while taking down a ride on the morning of Oct. 28, said Brian Long, spokesman for the N.C. State Fair.

Long said he is unsure of Newell’s current condition, and WakeMed would not comment.

“Our concern for the victims of the Oct. 24 Vortex accident — and our interest in the investigation — remains high,” Long said. “It is welcome news that Mr. Tutterow appears to be cooperating with the investigation. We want as many answers as possible as to why this tragic event happened.”

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