- The family of Ava Ahlander, killed by debris at Redwest Music Festival, sues Kier Construction, alleging negligence.
- The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and damages; Kier Construction hasn't commented.
SALT LAKE CITY — The family of a woman who died after being hit by debris while trying to shelter from extreme weather during the Redwest Music Festival in downtown Salt Lake City last fall has filed a lawsuit against the construction company that they allege was responsible for the site where the debris fell from.
Ava Ahlander, 23, was critically injured by flying debris when a storm disrupted the music festival at the Utah State Fairpark on Oct. 11, 2025, according to Salt Lake police, who responded to the incident.
Police said officers and firefighters responded to an injured person near 1055 W. North Temple about 5 p.m. that evening. The concert had been halted as a thunderstorm hit the area, prompting many attendees to disperse to avoid the lightning, rain and strong winds.
Ahlander, who was attending the music festival with some friends, returned to her car, which was parked adjacent to a construction site, when a plank of wood on the site fell and struck her in the head, leaving her severely injure, according to the complaint filed Wednesday,
Ahlander was transported to a nearby hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Ahlander's parents, who filed the lawsuit, allege Kier Construction Corporation, which was in charge of the site, was negligent and failed to operate it "in a safe manner and in a safe condition."
The complaint makes numerous accusations against the Ogden-based construction company, including creating hazards that resulted in Ahlander's death; not properly storing work materials or equipment; and failure to remedy or remove hazards from the construction site.
Other claims for relief in the complaint from the parents allege that Kier Construction is "liable for wrongful death" of their daughter. The lawsuit also states that "the defendants should have realized that the dangerous condition involved an unreasonable risk of harm to those on and outside the premises, including the decedent."
Ahlander's parents are seeking a jury trial as well as damages in an amount to be determined at trial.
Kier Construction did not immediately respond to KSL's request for comment Friday regarding the matter.
Ava Ahlander's uncle Bobby Ahlander told KSL back in October that she is originally from American Fork but had relocated to the Seattle area. Ahlander came back to Utah with a friend to attend the music festival with other local friends because she loved music festivals.
Bobby Ahlander said doctors determined that she had lost brain activity, and she was kept on life support long enough for her family to say goodbye.
After Ahlander's passing, her family donated her organs "as a final act of generosity that truly reflects her caring nature and desire to help those in need," they wrote on a GoFundMe* page.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
