A California family has filed a lawsuit against Six Flags Magic Mountain, alleging that a defective ride design led to the fatal head trauma of their 22-year-old son. Christopher Hawley, a recent graduate of San Diego State University, suffered severe injuries while riding the X2 roller coaster in summer 2022. According to reports from Fox 11 Los Angeles, Christopher collapsed shortly after the ride and passed away the following day.
The X2 roller coaster has a history of safety concerns. On July 5, 2026, another rider was found unconscious on the attraction, which led to its closure for over a month. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner classified Christopher’s death as an accident due to blunt-force head trauma, which his family attributes to the ride’s rough nature.
The ride was very rough. It jerked us all around, ending with a jolt that slammed our heads into the headrests,
said Alex Hawley, Christopher’s younger brother. After exiting the ride, Christopher exhibited signs of distress, including a flushed face, before collapsing. Emergency services transported him to a nearby hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
The family reported that a surgeon compared Christopher’s head trauma to shaken baby syndrome, where violent motions cause the brain to move rapidly within the skull, leading to swelling and bruising. The ride hit his head so hard that it ruptured his brain, William Hawley, Christopher’s father, explained to the local station.
Following the separate incident in July 2026, Six Flags Magic Mountain confirmed that the X2 ride remains closed. The theme park refrained from commenting directly on the current litigation.
A jury trial is scheduled to commence on September 8, involving Six Flags, the X2 roller coaster manufacturer, and park employees. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants did not adequately inform the public of the ride’s potential dangers. The X2 roller coaster, known for its intensity, features seats that rotate 360 degrees, a key attraction at the theme park.