Suit: Denver Runway Suicide Led to Passenger's Death

A runway intrusion at Denver International Airport is now the subject of a sweeping negligence and wrongful death lawsuit. Sixty-eight people associated with Frontier Flight 4345 say airport officials, security contractors, and a behavioral health provider failed on multiple fronts, which allowed a suicidal man to climb an 8-foot fence in May and walk onto the runway and into the path of the plane. Michael Mott, 41, was fatally struck by the plane's engine during takeoff, triggering a fire and abrupt stop.

Passenger Silva Ermelinda De Cervantes died eight days later "as a result of the inhalation of smoke, toxic fumes and combustion byproducts," per the suit, which alleges others suffered physical injuries and lasting trauma that has left some unable to fly again. Colorado Public Radio reports the Weld County Coroner's Office said its review of the circumstances of the passenger's death led them to classify it as natural. Plaintiffs argue the airport's perimeter was known to be vulnerable, pointing to multiple past breaches, and say a ground alarm triggered as Mott climbed the fence was dismissed as deer activity, reports the Denver Post.