A serious incident occurred at the Kendall County Fair Grounds during the annual Labor Day Weekend fair on August 31, 2024. Bleachers at the rodeo arena partially collapsed, leading to injuries for 12 people, including Lindsay Ward and Garret Daley, who are now seeking legal action.
Ward and Daley were represented by the Thomas J. Henry law firm, based in San Antonio. Alongside them, the lawsuit also names Kendall County Fair Association President Shane Boerner and several companies linked to him as defendants.
The collapse resulted in eight individuals being rushed to a local hospital for treatment, with one of them, 79-year-old Vera Smith, tragically passing away six days later.
Inspection Results Prior to the Collapse
Interestingly, just one day before the incident, a general inspection of the fairgrounds took place. According to the city’s report, inspectors found no violations during their walkthrough. However, it’s important to note that this inspection did not include a thorough examination of the bleachers or any structures.
Legal Outcomes Following the Incident
In March 2025, the Kendall County District Attorney’s Office concluded that there would be no criminal charges filed related to the collapse. A statement from the City of Boerne indicated that the necessary building permits for the bleachers and the newly installed platform were not applied for, raising questions about the safety protocols in place.
The district attorney’s office noted that there was “insufficient evidence to prove a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt” regarding the incident, leaving many to ponder what could have been done differently to prevent such a tragedy.
