The community of Hinsdale is still reeling from the devastating incident that took the life of 14-year-old Sean Richards. The young boy was tragically killed while walking on a sidewalk when a vehicle driven by an employee of Fuller Car Wash careened out of control. Now, in a stunning development, Fuller Car Wash has filed for bankruptcy protection, a move that has been met with strong words from the Richards family. This action comes just before key Fuller Car Wash personnel were scheduled to answer critical questions under oath regarding the fatal accident and past safety concerns at their fuller car wash locations.
This isn’t the first time Fuller Car Wash has faced scrutiny over safety. According to a statement released by the Richards family’s legal representatives, a troubling pattern of similar incidents stretches back nearly two decades. In 2007, an unlicensed employee recklessly drove a vehicle from the car wash bay, causing significant property damage. Fortuitously, no one was injured in that instance. However, history repeated itself in 2009 and again in 2022, with comparable accidents occurring at the fuller car wash premises. Each time, these incidents, which could have resulted in serious harm, were seemingly met with inaction from Fuller Car Wash management regarding public safety protocols.
The fateful day of July 17, 2023, proved to be tragically different. Martin Contreras, Jr., a Fuller Car Wash employee, allegedly lost control of a vehicle exiting the car wash, striking Sean Richards on the sidewalk. The vehicle continued across two lanes of traffic, over a curb, and through another sidewalk before crashing into Fontano’s Sub Shop. This time, the reckless operation of a vehicle at the fuller car wash resulted in the unthinkable – the death of a child and injuries to others. Despite the gravity of the situation and the immense loss suffered by the Richards family, Fuller Car Wash’s subsequent actions, culminating in this bankruptcy filing, are perceived by the family as a continued attempt to evade responsibility and transparency.
The timing of the bankruptcy filing is particularly suspect, according to the Richards family. It conveniently occurred less than 48 hours before Martin Contreras Jr. was scheduled for a deposition and less than a week before Doug Fuller and Susan Groenwold, the owners and operators of Fuller Car Wash, were also required to answer questions under oath. The family’s representatives stated, “Last month, we both sat and answered all of the Fullers’ lawyer’s questions under oath, but they are not willing to do the same. Why are they so afraid to have to tell the truth? What are they hiding?”. This raises serious questions about Fuller Car Wash’s motives and whether the bankruptcy filing is a tactic to delay legal proceedings and avoid accountability for their fuller car wash operations and safety record.
While the true intentions behind the bankruptcy filing remain unclear, the Richards family speculates it could be a maneuver to delay legal questioning or potentially to facilitate the sale of the car wash property. However, they question the feasibility of selling the land under the shadow of a high-profile wrongful death lawsuit stemming from negligence at the fuller car wash. The family’s statement underscores their frustration with what they see as delaying tactics, echoing the sentiment that “justice delayed is justice denied.” Despite these challenges, the Richards family remains resolute in their pursuit of truth, accountability, and ensuring public safety, especially concerning operations at Fuller Car Wash and similar establishments. They are prepared to navigate the complexities of the bankruptcy proceedings to achieve these objectives.
