A lawyer representing the family of two people who were hit by a U.S. Navy parachutist during Fleet Week in San Francisco earlier this month released a video of the crash, showing the moment when the flyer struck two people on the ground during a windy landing attempt.
Tanya Gomerman, the attorney representing Millicent “Mia” DeGuzman, 17, and her mother, Jhoanna, said the two women were recovering from the injuries they suffered in the Oct. 13 incident, on Marina Green in San Francisco.
A San Francisco Fire Department official described the injuries to the two women as minor” at the time of the crash, but Gomerman said that Mia DeGuzman was diagnosed with two fractures to her pelvis and her mother had a concussion and bruising on her upper arm.
Mia underwent surgery and had two screws placed in her pelvis, Gomerman said; she remains optimistic for a full recovery, but her long-term outlook is unclear. Jhoanna DeGuzman took medical leave from her job to recover from her own injuries and care for her daughter, Gomerman said.
The attorney shared a video taken by DeGuzman moments before she was hit by the parachutist. The video shows one parachutist with a California state flag strapped to their leg land in a small grassy area, surrounded by onlookers, as the crowd applauds.
A video shows a parachutist who fell and crashed into a crowd of air show viewers during San Francisco Fleet Week festivities on Oct. 13, 2024 in San Francisco, CA. (Courtesy of Mia DeGuzman)
Another parachutist — also with a flag strapped to their leg — descends rapidly, buffeted by the wind as they approach the ground near Mia DeGuzman’s camera. About 7 seconds before the hard landing, the parachutist waves their arms — what appears to be a warning to the people below. A person holding a small child can be seen running out of the parachutist’s path.
The parachutist comes down right on top of the camera operator; on the video, the crash comes with an audible “thud,” the sound of a person yelling, and then a voice immediately asking, “Are you OK?”.
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“There is no doubt that this is not what this parachutist or the Navy wanted to happen, but regrettably a young woman was injured and was left with a mountain of medical bills,” said Gomerman. “She faces a long, difficult recovery and is unable to handle even the most basic tasks without support from her family. It’s a tragic incident that raises questions about safety protocols and accountability at events involving such high-risk displays.”
In response to a call for comment, a spokesperson for the U.S. Navy said: “Our thoughts are with the individuals involved and their family. The Navy is conducting several investigations into the incident and taking the necessary steps to ensure the highest levels of safety at future events. The Navy Parachute Team paused scheduled demonstrations to conduct this review of procedures. We cannot comment on the ongoing investigation or any pending litigations at this time.”
Gomerman said the family does not plan on immediately filing a claim or a lawsuit against the Navy or the city-county of San Francisco. The family is waiting until Mia DeGuzman’s condition stabilizes further to make a decision, Gomerman said.
The city may share responsibility for the incident if there was not a clear plan for safe seating of spectators as the parachutists descended, the attorney added. The family doesn’t want Fleet Week events to stop, Gomerman said, but they want to make sure they are safe.
“This was my first airshow and I had no idea I was in danger,” said DeGuzman. “I immigrated to the United States just two days before the show and was so excited to explore the city with my family. Now I can’t move without their help and doctors say I may never be able to do the things I once could. Beyond the physical pain, the emotional trauma is overwhelming—what was supposed to be a joyful start to a new life here has turned into a nightmare I relive every day.”
