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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
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Motorcyle Jumper’s Mom Wants Information

DALLAS (CN) - The mother of an injured motorcycle jumper seeks to depose the operators of a circus in which her son ran into a concrete wall and has been in a medically induced coma since.

Margarita Maria Uribe, of Bogota, Columbia, on Wednesday asked to depose representatives of Dallas-based Agente Entertainment Inc., Agente Communications Inc. and Fun Time Shows Inc., in Dallas County Court.

Uribe said her son, Julian Gomez, 22, was performing a motorcycle jump at the defendants' Kazim Temple Shrine Circus in Roanoke, Va., on Feb. 1.

"Julian was unable to safely land on the second ramp as at the bottom of the second ramp was a concrete wall," the 12-page petition states. "According to newspaper reports, the lights were dimmed at the time, but apparently Julian crashed into the wall head first. His bike was 'broken in half' and 911 was called."

Gomez was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury with internal hemorrhages and several bodily fractures.

"Gomez has been unresponsive and in a coma with a tracheostomy. He is unlikely to ever regain cognitive functioning," his mother says in the petition. "Julian's unresponsive status precludes acquiring information from him regarding his relationship with the circus, his training, and the circumstances of the accident. Thus, in order to investigate whether a potential claim exists and prevent a failure of justice, Julian's family needs to be able to discover such information."

Uribe said the family has been sent paperwork by Agente and Fun Times officials relating to possible disability claims. She said the family is not sure whether such paperwork is appropriate or if they can sign off on a policy claim in good faith.

"Julian's family needs to be provided information related to Julian's status with the circus operators, the terms of such policies and effect of such benefits," the petition states.

Agente Entertainment did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

In its 56th year, the Kazim Temple Shrine Circus continued its performances after Gomez's accident, the Roanoke Times reported.

Seven performances were held at the Roanoke Civic Center.

Circus chairman Bobby Boitnnott told the newspaper that other performers held prayer sessions backstage for Gomez. He said Gomez had landed hundreds of jumps in his career and more than 20 in Roanoke before the accident.

Arena manager Robyn Schon told the Times the organizers left the lights off to shield Gomez from view as he was carried away. An announcement was made asking the audience to leave, she said.

Uribe is represented by Charla Aldous in Dallas.

Follow @davejourno
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