Heartbroken man dies days after wife was crushed to death by 2600lb Denny’s sign
Police in Kentucky are investigating how a giant Denny’s sign fell and crushed Lillian and Lloyd Curtis’s car
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The husband of a 72-year-old grandmother who was fatally crushed by a 2,600 lbs (1180kg) falling Denny’s sign has also died from injuries sustained in the freak accident.
Lloyd Curtis, 77, died in hospital on 23 January, four days after his wife of 50 years Lillian Mae Curtis suffered catastrophic head injuries when the giant sign fell on their car in a restaurant parking lot in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, according to a report from ABC affilliate KVUE.
The couple and their daughter Mary Graham, 58, had stopped for a meal after picking up Lloyd Curtis from a hospital in Louisville where he had been undergoing heart surgery when the incident occurred amid 50mph wind bursts.
Lillian, who was sitting in the back seat, suffered “catastrophic” head injuries and was inoperable, the couple’s granddaughter Mary Howard told KVUE.
“The doctors said that it was absolutely instantaneous and that there was no way her body could have felt any pain,” Mary Howard added.
Mary Graham suffered multiple broken ribs and a concussion, and has since been released from hospital.
An autopsy will determine whether the injuries suffered by Lloyd Curtis contributed to his death, the coroner’s office said.
Police are investigating whether the intense wind gusts in Elizabethtown around the time the Denny’s sign could have caused the sign to fall off its base.
In a statement, Denny’s said it was working with authorities to determine what had happened.
Lillian and Lloyd Curtis were farewelled at a joint funeral service on Friday.
“Hope your dancing and singing in Heaven with nanny pa,” another granddaughter Amy Nichols wrote in a Facebook tribute. “My nanny was loved by so many people and this loss has left a hole inside us all.”
A GoFundme page has been set up to help the family with burial and medical costs.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments