Criminal investigation of Ohio State Fair accident concludes without charges filed

COLUMBUS

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has completed the criminal investigation into the fatal ride accident at the Ohio State Fair that occurred on July 26.

Troopers presented the findings of the criminal investigation to the Franklin County Prosecutors Office on August 21. After reviewing the case, Prosecutor Ron O’Brien concluded there was not enough evidence to proceed with a criminal case. With the criminal portion of the investigation completed, the Fireball ride will remain securely stored at the Ohio State Fair and Exposition Center until it is released to Amusements of America.

Troopers interviewed more than 80 witnesses during the investigation including those on the ride at the time of the accident. Troopers and third party experts completed non-destructive inspections of the ride, which includes measurements, mapping, scanning and photography. Representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Amusements of America, KMG, the Ohio State Fair and Expo Center and the Consumer Products Safety Administration collaborated in the investigation.

The manufacturer of an amusement park ride has said that the deadly incident was caused by "excessive corrosion."

The Fire Ball ride collapsed, killing one person and injuring seven others. The ride consists of at least six rows of seats that spin around 40 feet above the ground as the entire structure moves like a pendulum.

A video posted online appears to show several people on the Fire Ball seconds before parts of the structure, including a full row of seats, split up and fell. The ride broke apart while in motion.