Nathan Hall Trial Skiing Accident Transcript
Nathan Hall Trial | Skiing Accident | Denver, CO Attorney | Video Transcript
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RON ZAPPOLO: Good evening, thanks for joining us this Sunday night. I'm Ron Zappolo.
LIBBY WEAVER: And I'm Libby Weaver. If you've skied, you may want to pay attention to the case of Nathan Hall.
GRAPHIC: [Photo Nathan Hall]
LIBBY WEAVER: He's the former Vail employee who's accused of skiing out of control and colliding with another skier, killing him. First on Fox tonight, Fox 31's Sary Pedor explains the precedent setting case which starts tomorrow is sending a message to skiers and snowboarders all across Colorado.
GRAPHIC: [Person snowboarding]
GRAPHIC: [Fox 31 First on Fox]
SARY PEDOR: Snap on your skis, polish your poles, winter is here. For skiers, there's nothing better than sliding down the slopes. But some people are going faster than others, too fast.
MARK VALENTE: There are people that ski out of control and there has to be some responsibility, however, any sport like this, there is a danger. And accidents are going to happen.
SARY PEDOR: 10 million skiers visit Colorado slopes every year, and on average there are 20,000 accidents.
GRAPHIC: [Nathan Hall]
SARY PEDOR: Back in 1997, Vail employee Nathan Hall was allegedly skiing out of control along Reva Ridge on Vail Mountain, when he collided with Alan Cobb, killing him instantly. Now Hall could face time behind bars.
Jim Chalat who has handled many ski injury cases, says the outcome of Hall's case isn't as important as the message of a case sliding off the slopes and into the courtroom.
JIM CHALAT: If you go skiing, and you ski recklessly and someone is hurt as a result, then you are responsible, just as you would be if you were driving recklessly.
MALE VOICE 2: Slow down, please, slow.
SARY PEDOR: In response to the Hall case, and to skiers going out of control, places like Breckenridge have started speed patrols. And at most resorts, if you're caught speeding; you lose your lift ticket.
JIM CHALAT: It doesn't mean you can't have fun. It doesn't mean you can't step on the throttle anymore when you're skiing. That isn't what's being curtailed. What's being curtailed would be these, these nitwits who ski or snowboard recklessly and out of control, or taking a blind jump without regard to the likelihood that there are children below.
SARY PEDOR: Ski industry officials are watching the Hall case closely. Experts believe it may start an avalanche of ski injury lawsuits. But most agree, it will help make the slopes safer. Sary Pedor, Fox 31 News.
