Sugarland Members to Testify in Fair Case

Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush are scheduled to give video depositions this week for lawsuits surrounding the Indiana State Fair stage collapse on August 13, 2011. The tragedy claimed seven lives and caused numerous injuries.

According to the AP, Nettles and Bush will provide depositions Thursday, April 12 and Friday, April 13 in Charleston, WV. Central to this part of the investigation will be whether the band chose not to delay the Indiana concert after being informed about bad weather.

These allegations were brought to light following the deposition of Indiana State Fair Commission Executive Director Cindy Hoye, who claimed the band refused the fair’s efforts to delay the show. Sugarland’s depositions were ordered by a judge presiding over a lawsuit against Mid-America Sound Corp., who owns the staging equipment that collapsed.

Earlier, an investigation by the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) concluded that the stagehands union, fair officials, and Mid-America Sound Corp. shared the blame and issued fines to each party.

In another previous separate investigation, the state of Indiana settled with victims for a total payout of $5 million, with the estates of the deceased receiving more than $300,000 each.