One man died in December after a car landed in the San Diego Bay from the parking lot of Loews Coronado Resort. Now, an attorney for the victims in the collision has filed a lawsuit, alleging the resort was negligent in the incident.
Early Sunday, December 18, Harbor police pulled a car that was submerged in 12 feet of water near the popular restaurant and hotel.
The vehicle drove from the parking lot outside the result and into the water at approximately 1:35 a.m.
Two people were pulled from the vehicle and rushed to the hospital, Coronado Police said. One of the victims died from his injuries.
NBC7 reached out to Loews Coronado Resort for comment, but we have not yet heard back.
At a news conference Monday, Attorney James Frantz said his client Carlos Rodriguez and his family want only to warn the public about unsafe and unpermitted parking lots on hotels near bays in San Diego.
Frantz said Loews Resort knew or should have known a crash like this could happen.
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Just months prior to the December 2016 crash that ended Rodriguez's life, a Loews employee drove over the side in the same spot. The employee was not injured.
Frantz said Loews just repaired the flimsy fence and left his client to do the same a month later.
"This is an accident that never should have happened," Frantz said.
Frantz said the parking lot is in violation of the City of Coronado building and permitting codes. NBC 7 checked with a spokeswoman for the city and will update this story when she replies.
"The most incredible thing about Loews misconduct in this case is to this date they have not changed anything. So, when is the next death going to take place on this roadway here into Loews Coronado hotel?"
