Family of woman killed in float accident sues carnival krewe
by The Associated Press
Last Updated Feb 20, 2021 at 10:58 am EDT
NEW ORLEANS The family of a woman killed in a float accident during the 2020 Nyx parade is suing the the krewe, its captain, and the City of New Orleans.
The family of Geraldine Turner Carmouche claims that the city, the Mystic Krewe of Nyx, krewe captain Julie Lea, and tractor driver Desmond Williams were negligent in her death, the wrongful death lawsuit filed Thursday contends.
Carmouche, 58, was killed when she was hit while trying to cross through the middle of a tandem float. The victim’s family says the krewe and float driver failed to warn Carmouche before the incident and failed to enclose the spaces between parts of a tandem float. Carmouche, who was related to two Nyx members, died at the scene. The rest of the parade was postponed for four days, when it ran as part of the Krewe of Pandora procession in Metairie.
Family of woman killed by tandem float during 2020 Nyx parade files wrongful death suit Share Updated: 4:50 PM CST Feb 19, 2021 WDSU Digital Team Share Updated: 4:50 PM CST Feb 19, 2021
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Show Transcript GINA: WELCOME BACK. MORE LEGAL TROUBLES FOR THE MYSTIC KREWE OF MAKES. THE FAMILY OF A WOMAN KILLED LAST YEAR FILED A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT. THE HUSBAND AND FATHER ARE SUING THEM. THE CAPTAIN, THE FLOAT BUILDER, AND THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS. SHE DIED DURING THE 2020 NYX PARADE WHEN SHE TRIED TO CROSS BETWEEN SECTIONS OF THE TANDEM HOPE. THE DRIVER IS A DEFENDANT. LEA FACES A LAWSUIT FROM FIVE FORMER MEMBERS WHO SAID SHE USED KREWE DUES TO SUPPORT HER LAVISH LIFESTYLE. OTHER MEMBERS ARE SUING TO GET MEMBERSHIP FEES BACK AFTER THE CONTROVERSIAL ALL LIVES MATT
Former Nyx members sue krewe captain Julie Lea on the day it would have rolled Mike McDaniel / Eyewitness News
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She would normally be the center of attention during the Krewe of NYX parade, but now captain Julie Lea and the NYX organization are at the center of a 19-page lawsuit, alleging Lea controlled the Krewe of NYX for her personal benefit.
That lawsuit, filed on behalf of five former krewe members, claims Lea used her position of power as captain to live a lavish lifestyle at the expense of members. The lawsuit claims Lea pocketed dues and fees from members and accuses her of committing fraud, racketeering, breach of contract and unfair trade practices.
Lawsuit claims Nyx captain led lavish lifestyle on the backs of Nyx members
The Krewe of Nyx would have been riding down St. Charles Avenue the day the lawsuit was filed, if not for New Orleans COVID-19 restrictions. Author: WWL Staff Updated: 5:17 PM CST February 10, 2021
NEW ORLEANS A potential class action lawsuit filed against the Mystic Krewe of Nyx and its leader, Julie Lea, claims the Mardi Gras Krewe’s captain used her position of power to live a lavish lifestyle “on the backs of her Nyx ‘sisters.’”
The lawsuit, filed in Orleans Parish Civil District Court on behalf of former riders, could allow for more than 3,000 former members to collect damages from the organization.