Sugarland’s lead singer, Jennifer Nettles, said in an interview that aired last night on ABC’s “In the Spotlight With Robin Roberts” that she will always be connected with the people who were at the deadly concert last summer in Indianapolis. She said she especially identifies with those who perished in the tragic incident in which a stage collapsed at the Indiana State Fair.
LaPorte County Judge Thomas Alevizos issued a two page ruling Tuesday afternoon that gave a rather “limited preliminary injunction” in a case brought by the estate of Tammy Van Dam, and her life partner Beth Urschel. The suit brought by the lawyer for the two asked that the wreckage from the State Fair stage that collapsed be preserved.
Alevizos did though reject a request to preserve all e-mails, 911 calls and other evidence that could be destroyed.
He also criticized the attorney before him, Kenneth Allen, for saying he was seeking $50 million for the estate of Tammy Van Dam. The judge said that local court rules stipulate that no damage amounts be listed. He called the revelation of the amount a “publicity stunt” by the attorney.
Tammy Van Dam was killed, and Beth Urschel was injured when the stage collapsed before a performance of the county music duo Sugarland at the State Fair.
Memorial services were held yesterday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds for those who lost their lives or were injured in the tragic event Saturday night at the Sugarland concert. Among those at the memorial was Dianne Semento of Kouts who was there to honor the memory of one of her best friends, Tammy Vandam of Wanatah. Vandam was one of five people who lost their lives. She leaves behind a 17-year-old South Central student, Courtney Vandam.
Yesterday, Tom Berg spoke with a person who attended the concert. Nicki Frazier was leaving the concert when the stage collapsed.
“We had gotten up to leave because we knew it was going to rain, but we heard the stage collapse and we just saw everybody running and screaming and yelling,” Frazier said.
Although she and her husband Bill did not see the stage came down, she heard it.
“We heard it. We were still in the stadium and heard everything fall but we didn’t actually witness it. I actually thought there was a tornado coming. It was just chaos, everybody was running and screaming and yelling and just trying to get out of the way. People were frantic on their cell phones, looking for family members or friends that they had gone to the concert with,” said Frazier.
Ted Hayes joined Tom on the air and asked Nicki how close to the stage their seats were.
“We were the sixth row in the stands,” said Frazier.
Frazier was asked if there was any warning before the storm hit.
“No, one of the radio stations employees came out and said if the weather got bad, everybody would be moved to the coliseum, and that’s actually when we were getting up from our seats. It wasn’t even windy at that point, and by the time I had gotten down the steps to the front of the stadium, the wind was just blowing and there was trash blowing and the dirt was blowing. You couldn’t keep your eyes open long enough to see anything because the dirt was so bad,” said Frazier.
