RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A prosecutor said Friday the owner of a thrill ride tampered with the machine prior to an October mishap at the North Carolina State Fair that seriously injured three patrons.
Wake County Assistant District Attorney Howard Cummings said during a court hearing that Joshua Gene Macaroni asked employee Timothy Dwayne Tutterrow to stand behind him to block the view of state inspectors as he rewired an electrical box on The Vortex ride a few days before the mishap. The extra wiring allowed the ride to operate while safety restraints weren't locked in place.
Macaroni and Tutterow, both of Quitman, Ga., were each formally indicted Tuesday on three counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious bodily injury. They were arrested after the Vortex suddenly lurched into motion Oct. 24 as riders were trying to exit, flinging patrons through the air before they dropped to the steel decking.
Tutterrow was operating the ride at the time. Macaroni, whose business Family Attractions Amusement Co. owns the Vortex, was not present when the injuries occurred.
Lawyers for the two men say they never intended to harm anyone. They are free on bond awaiting trial.
Anthony Gorham, Kisha Gorham and the couple's 14-year-old son were the most seriously injured of five people taken to the hospital. Family and friends say the Gorhams still face a long recovery and several surgeries after suffering brain, skull, neck and spinal trauma.