Ventura County Fairgrounds, others sued over fight at 2024 Chopper Fest
A man who said he was injured in a fight at a motorcycle event held last year at the Ventura County Fairgrounds has filed a lawsuit claiming the fairgrounds and others didn't do enough to protect him.
Jose Jesus Delgadillo filed suit on Feb. 24 in Ventura County Superior Court, alleging he suffered multiple injuries in a fight at the David Mann Chopper Fest on Feb. 11, 2024. Delgadillo said he was walking down the Ventura seaside fairground's Main Street when he was "assaulted" by others attending the event.
He alleged in a court complaint the fairgrounds and others did not deescalate the altercation and should have prevented the 'brutal attack.'
After last year's Chopper Fest, Ventura police reported three men were stabbed during a large daytime fight at the event. The men were treated at the Ventura County Medical Center. Two police officers, hired by Chopper Fest, were at the event and more responded to the altercation.
The plaintiff's lawyers did not respond to questions about the lawsuit including whether Delgadillo was one of the men stabbed.
According to court records, Delgadillo is seeking personal injury damages of more than $35,000. Delgadillo did not reveal his city of residence in the court complaint. Officials from Chopper Fest also did not respond to messages. Fairgrounds CEO Heidi Ortiz declined to comment, noting that the litigation was ongoing.
The fairgrounds are owned by the state and operated by the 31st District Agricultural Association. In addition to hosting the annual county fair, the property is regularly leased out for other events.
The California Fair Services Authority and the county of Ventura are also listed as defendants in the lawsuit, as is Chopper Fest.
The Chopper Fest is a motorcycle culture and art event named for artist David Mann who is described on the fest's website as the Norman Rockwell of the biker world. This year's event was held at the fairgrounds on Feb. 9. Police said there were no incidents.
A court hearing on the lawsuit is set for July 28.
Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com.
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This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Ventura County Fairgrounds, others sued over Chopper Fest fight
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