Latest news with #AkilDrake
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Firefighters reflect on Realty Tower Explosion one year later
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)- A lot has happened over the past year since that deadly Realty Tower gas explosion. The blast claimed the life of Akil Drake and injured nine others. It happened one year ago, around 2:45 p.m. Crews worked for weeks, trying to clear some of the debris and piece together what happened. But there were questions over the building's stability. That's why city officials made the call to evacuate International Towers starting June 20. That building sits right next to where the explosion happened. After a lot of debate on whether the Realty Building could be saved or needed to be torn down, the decision was made to demolish it. Demo began July 12 and officially finished September 25. Many businesses near the blast site had to be closed while all of this was happening. A phased reopening of that area started August 19. One week ago, the NTSB released the explosion investigation docket to the public. It includes preliminary reports, accident summaries, field notes, maps, interviews, images of the damage, and much more. Several area departments stepped up around the Valley one year ago today when the Realty Building exploded. But three men were given higher honors at the statehouse. Youngstown firefighters Scott Thomas, Tommy Gibbs, and Joseph Koziel received the Fire Service Valor Award for their heroic actions following the explosion. According to the State Fire Service Hall of Fame, they were inducted based on their efforts that reflect the core values of the fire service: courage, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to protect and serve. Captain Gibbs explained that he thought at first this was just a nuisance call. Something that was going to just turn into nothing. Then they heard the explosion, seeing the smoke. 'It's changed the way I look at the training and how you go about things. If I'm always, you can't train for every call, but we can train for how we're going to act on these calls,' said Captain Tommy Gibbs 'Everybody now realizes that, you know, any time that tone hits, it can be anything,' said Batt. Chief Timothy Frease. One of the injured was a woman whom Captain Gibbs and Battalion Chief Frease pulled from the rubble in the basement. One thing each man shared about that day was how much worse it could have been. 'Some divine intervention definitely played a key role in that,' said firefighter Scott Thomas. 'Especially with the time of the day and the occupancy of the building. We figured there was going to be a lot more people in there. Thankfully, a fire alarm got pulled and people got out,' said firefighter Joseph Koziel. Meanwhile, a settlement has been reached in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Akil Drake. Drake's estate will receive $6.1 million. After attorney fees, the family will receive just over $3.6 million. Y-O Properties 47 LLC paid $3 million in the settlement. Enbridge/Dominion paid $2.9 million, while Niedler Architecture and MS Consultants paid $100,000 each. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
$6.1 million settlement reached in wrongful death lawsuit over Youngstown explosion
The family of a Penn Hills man killed in an explosion in Youngstown, Ohio has reached a multi-million dollar settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit. 27-year-old Akil Drake died last year after an office building in downtown Youngstown exploded when a scrap removal crew cut a natural gas line. Nine other people were injured in the blast. At least one person was killed and multiple people were injured in an explosion at the Realty Building along East Federal Street in Youngstown, Ohio on Tuesday. KDKA Drone Team / KDKA Photojournalist Brian Smithmyer Drake's family then sued the building owner and the gas company. CBS affiliate WKBN reported Tuesday that Drake's family settled the lawsuit for more than $6.1 million. The NTSB said that the four-person scrap removal crew was working in the basement of the Realty Building and didn't know the gas lines were in service. A crewmember told investigators he cut into one of the pipes he had been told was dead. The NTSB said its investigators found the service line was inactive, but it had been pressurized with natural gas at the time of the cut.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Judge set to release settlement records in wrongful death case
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — The family of the man who died in the Realty Tower explosion last year has been denied their request asking that documents pertaining to their wrongful death lawsuit be sealed. In March, attorney Patrick McFarland, who represents the estate of Akil Drake, confirmed the family reached a settlement in the lawsuit that involved the owner of the building, the property management company, and the gas company. Drake died while working at the Chase Bank last May. The original lawsuit alleged negligence by those involved in construction work on the building that led to the explosion, alleging that the property owner and management company knew the work could be dangerous and failed to maintain the safety of those inside. A motion filed by the estate on April 11 in Mahoning County Probate Court Judge Robert Rusu Jr.'s court asks for the details of the settlement to be sealed, as well as 'each of the four proposed release of claims.' In the filing, the estate says that the incident 'which gives rise to the death of (Drake's) decedent involves continued litigation involving multiple lawsuits and hundreds of claimants' and that the motion was made to comply with agreed settlement terms. A hearing held last week dismissed the motion. Rusu cited the Public Records Act, which allows the disclosure of probate settlement records, and said they did not find that the parties 'met their burden of proof and did not exhibit by clear and convincing evidence.' Akil Drake's family has until Monday to appeal before making the settlement details available to the public. As of Sunday, they have not filed one. Several other plaintiffs are suing in relation to the explosion. Ohio Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy assigned retired Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge W. Wyatt McKay to the case. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 8. Kristy Regula contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
