Family of man killed in Youngstown gas explosion sues for negligence

The family of the man who was killed in a recent downtown explosion in Youngstown filed a lawsuit against the building owners for wrongful death and negligence.

The man, Akil Drake, was the only person killed during the Realty Tower explosion on East Federal Street that occurred on May 28. The explosion occurred due to a cut gas line, according to the National Transportation Safety Bureau. Seven others were injured.

Drake’s mother and sister filed a lawsuit against several corporations involved with the Realty Tower on Saturday under the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court. Both are beneficiaries of Drake’s wrongful death estate.

The legal complaint is filed against Y.O. Properties, the owners of the Realty Tower, LY Property Management, the Realty Tower building managers, Greenheart Companies, the company who had workers doing utility work when the explosion occurred and Enbridge Gas, the gas supplier for the building.

Drake’s family members are suing under an Ohio law which states that beneficiaries can claim damages for any person who was wrongfully killed. They are seeking damages for funeral costs, any lost inheritance, emotional suffering, etc. The exact amount was not specified in the complaint.

Drake, 27, was an employee at Chase Bank and was at work inside the Realty Tower when the explosion killed him. His body was recovered on May 29, the day after the explosion.

Sign up for our Mahoning Matters newsletter

Support our journalists with a tax-deductible donation