DALLAS — A family is left searching for answers after a tragic event at the State Fair of Texas led to a teenager being hospitalized with a severe injury.
Esther Macharia said her family was enjoying their yearly tradition at the fair on Tuesday when her 17-year-old son Ian was injured in an incident involving an out-of-control Dallas Police horse.
"It was a moment that changed me, changed my family, changed my life," Esther said.
The sequence of events unfolded quickly.
According to Esther, a crowd began screaming, and she turned to see the horse running. Moments later, Ian was on the ground, surrounded by onlookers. Reports indicate that a Dallas Police horse bucked its officer and then made contact with Ian. It remains unclear whether Ian was kicked or stomped by the horse. The family said he is being treated for a traumatic brain injury, including a hematoma the size of a golf ball. Esther said her son suffers bad headaches and does not sleep well.
"It was so scary thinking that he had passed away," Esther said as she described seeing her son seizing on the ground.
Her attorney, Ramez Shamieh, has indicated that they may pursue legal action against both the Dallas Police Department and the State Fair of Texas.
"It's about making sure this kid gets better and ensuring this doesn’t happen again," Ramez said.
The family is also hoping that someone may have captured video footage that could shed light on what caused the horse to become spooked. The law firm Shamieh Law is asking anyone with information to contact them. Ramez questions whether mounted patrols are necessary at the fair.
"I think it's over the top. I think it's all for show," Ramez added.
When asked if the Dallas Police Department is reconsidering its mounted patrol program at the State Fair, a spokesperson replied, "We do not comment on pending litigation."
The department did say the Dallas officer was also injured and is recovering.
Ian, a senior at Princeton High School, is currently recovering at home. He doesn’t remember much from the incident, except that he was enjoying the fair one moment and in pain the next.
"I can't even get away from it. I'm replaying it in my head," his mom said.
The Macharia family is now focused on Ian’s recovery while hoping for changes that could prevent similar incidents in the future.