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SALT LAKE CITY — This week a Salt Lake County jury will take a close look at a major public safety hazard on the Jordan River as the result of a civil lawsuit. Jury members will have to decide whether a Sandy family deserves compensation from West Jordan City for a fatal kayaking accident four years ago.
Joe and Kelly Glasser were kayaking just under the Winchester Street (6600 South) bridge on Aug, 1, 2010. After they cleared the bridge, they went over a small low head dam, flipped into the water and drowned in the undertow.
They had put in the river near 11400 South and should have seen danger signs warning them to get out of the river, but the one warning sign in the area that day was covered up with brush.
In a lawsuit that went to trial in Utah’s 3rd District court Monday, family members of the Glassers said West Jordan City is responsible for the kayakers' deaths because the city did not clear the sign.
"This has been a public safety hazard,” said Jeffrey Eisenberg, the plaintiff’s attorney. “So the case is obviously about that hazard, and about what needs to be done and who is responsible for it."
But the attorney for West Jordan City argued city administrators did not have control of the signs or the land and cannot be held responsible. While West Jordan built the Jordan River Parkway and maintains the trail, the city’s attorney said the sign was installed and maintained by Murray City, which also owns the pipeline.
Murray City and the state of Utah have already settled their suits with the plaintiffs.
Jeff Salt, Great Salt Lake Keeper executive director and a Utah waterway watchdog, detailed the dangers for KSL News days after the Glassers died. He said five people had died there over the years.
Salt said he tried for nearly a decade to get action from all stakeholders to safeguard that spot in the river. His testimony and jurisdiction issues will be key elements of the case, which is expected to last a week.
There has been plenty of discussion about a portage where boaters could carry their canoes and kayaks around the pipeline. Murray City, Salt Lake County and the State of Utah have entered into an interlocal agreement to design and build a structure at the 6600 South location to make it safer. In addition, Murray City and Salt Lake County have entered into another interlocal agreement to design and build a portage around the 6600 South hazard and another hazard located in Murray City, according to Murray City Public Services Director Doug Hill.
Family members of the Glassers and their attorneys said they want to talk about those issues when this case is over.
