The wrongful death lawsuit stemming from the 2022 Raleigh Christmas Parade continues to raise difficult legal questions about who bears responsibility when a public event turns deadly. Two City of Raleigh employees recently filed motions asking a Wake County judge to dismiss them from the case, arguing they should not be held personally liable for a third party’s conduct.
The Facts Behind the Lawsuit
On November 19, 2022, 11-year-old Hailey Brooks was struck and killed by a parade float after the driver lost control of the vehicle. The driver, Landen Glass, later pleaded guilty to death by motor vehicle, obstruction of justice, and carrying a dangerous weapon at a parade. He was sentenced to eight months in jail, followed by three years of supervised probation and 400 hours of community service.
The Brooks family filed a civil wrongful death lawsuit in 2023. The original complaint named Glass, C.C. & Co. Dance Complex, D&L Floats, and the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association (doing business as Shop Local Raleigh). The family reached settlements with Glass, the dance company, and the float business in October 2024.
Two weeks after those settlements, the family amended the lawsuit to add the City of Raleigh, along with two city employees: Whitney Schoenfeld, who served as interim special events senior manager, and Kirk Archer II, who was the special events manager at the time.
What the City Employees Are Arguing
Schoenfeld and Archer filed motions to dismiss in early May 2026, contending that they cannot be held personally liable for Glass’s criminal conduct. Their attorneys argue that personal liability only applies in limited circumstances where a “special relationship” exists between the defendant and the person who caused the harm. They maintain that neither employee had any direct connection to Glass or knowledge of any dangerous behavior on his part before the crash.
The employees also argue they were acting within the scope of their roles as city workers, not exercising independent discretion. Under North Carolina law, that distinction can determine whether individual government employees receive immunity from civil claims.
Families dealing with the loss of a loved one in a Raleigh wrongful death case involving government entities or employees face additional legal layers that private claims do not carry.
A Raleigh, NC wrongful death lawyer can help identify which parties may be liable and whether governmental immunity applies.
The Family’s Position
Attorneys for the Brooks family pushed back. They argue the city’s involvement in the parade went well beyond simply issuing a permit. According to court filings reported by CBS 17, the lawsuit alleges the city played a direct role in planning, promoting, and operating the event. The complaint cites multiple failures:
- No hazard analysis was conducted for the parade
- Vehicles were not adequately inspected before the event
- Policies for drivers operating floats were insufficient
- Properly trained crowd managers were not positioned along the route
- The city approved an emergency action plan the lawsuit describes as inadequate
Judge Bryan Collins heard arguments from both sides in May 2026 but did not issue a ruling, stating he needed time to review the case. The matter is scheduled for trial in November.
Why This Case Matters Beyond the Parties Involved
North Carolina’s wrongful death statute, N.C. General Statute 28A-18-2, allows the personal representative of a deceased person’s estate to bring a civil action when death results from the wrongful act, neglect, or default of another. Recoverable damages can include medical expenses, funeral costs, lost income, loss of companionship, and in some cases, punitive damages.
This case highlights how a wrongful death claim in Raleigh can evolve well beyond the person who directly caused the harm. When event organizers, municipalities, and individual employees are added to the litigation, questions of oversight, planning failures, and governmental immunity can shape the outcome in ways that are not always straightforward. If your family is facing a similar situation, speaking with an attorney at Burton Law Firm about your rights and the applicable deadlines is a meaningful first step.