Honolulu, Hawaii — The mother of a Maui firefighter, who tragically lost his life after being swept into the ocean through a storm drain earlier this year, has proposed a settlement in a lawsuit against Maui County and the firefighter’s supervisor. Chelsie Evans is seeking to achieve both recognition for her son’s sacrifice and improvements in safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.
Tre Evans-Dumaran, 24, died after a distressing incident during a flooding event in Kihei on February 4, where he was pulled through a storm drain and swept out to sea. He succumbed to his injuries eight days later. The lawsuit initiated by his mother contends that Evans-Dumaran’s death was avoidable and points to alleged negligence on the part of his supervisor, Captain Scott Martin.
According to the legal claim, Captain Martin directed Evans-Dumaran to approach the storm drain despite there being no immediate threat to life or property. The lawsuit further highlights that Evans-Dumaran was not equipped with essential safety gear such as a flotation device, nor was he secured with a rope to a nearby fire truck. It was also contended that the captain failed to deploy a fully equipped firefighting team at the scene.
In expressing her grief and frustration, Chelsie Evans remarked, “If the county had adhered to their established safety protocols, my son would still be here. Instead of planning a visit to a memorial, I’d be home with him.”
The settlement proposal, submitted on September 16, suggests several measures including the establishment of a memorial honoring all first responders who have died in the line of duty within Maui County. Furthermore, Evans is advocating for periodic, independent compliance reviews of the Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety. These audits would focus on protocols relating to incident response, equipment maintenance, and water-based search and rescue operations.
In addition to institutional changes, the settlement requests financial compensation. Evans has proposed that the county allocate $12 million to “Tre’s Foundation,” a nonprofit founded in her son’s memory to support local firefighters. She highlighted the foundation’s impact, noting that it has already assisted 12 firefighters who lost their homes in recent fires on Maui.
“I am hopeful that the support for ‘Tre’s Foundation’ would continue the important work it has embarked on,” Evans stated. Additionally, she seeks $1 million for personal damages and another $1 million for her son’s estate.
The offer stipulates that if the county does not respond positively within 30 days, the proposal will be retracted. As of the latest updates, a spokesperson from Maui County has indicated that the county does not comment on ongoing legal matters.
This tragic incident and the subsequent lawsuit raise critical questions about the adequacy of current safety measures for emergency responders in hazardous conditions. The outcome of this legal battle could potentially influence future protocols to ensure the safety of firefighters faced with similar perilous situations.