Community Corner

Dorney Park Sued for Chinese Student's Death

A wrongful death lawsuit seeks to hold Dorney Park accountable for the demise of a 22-year-old worker from China who was hit by a car and fatally injured in September 2012.

A 22-year-old Chinese woman employed at Dorney Park was walking along Hamilton Boulevard when she was hit by a car and later died on Sept. 4, 2012.

Zhen Li was here to improve her English language skills and experience America, according to an attorney representing her parents. 

Dorney Park and the recruiting company that arranged for Zhen Li to work in the United States are now the targets of a wrongful death lawsuit filed in federal court.

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Her parents are also suing Zachary J. Edwards of Upper Macungie, the driver who hit Li. Edwards was 19 at the time of the accident, according to a Morning Call report. He was not charged.

The girl's parents allege that Dorney Park and recruiting company CCUSA failed to provide "proper guidance and safe housing," which led to Zhen Li's death, according to a press release from attorney Kirk Wiedemer.

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Dorney Park officials declined to comment on the lawsuit.

CCUSA Inc, a California based recruiting company, made the work and housing arrangements for Zhen Li and other students who came from China to the U.S. last summer on J-1 temporary worker visas, according to Wiedemer. 

The students lived in a hotel on Hamilton Boulevard near the park, but walking between the hotel and Dorney Park is dangerous because of heavy traffic and lack of sidewalks, Bruce Dolfman, administrator of Li's estate, told the Morning Call.

Li died in the emergency room at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest three and a half hours after she was hit.

In addition to filing the federal court lawsuit, Zhen Li’s parents have sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry requesting that the Department of State investigate Dorney Park and CCUSA’s conduct regarding lack of compliance with federal regulations applicable to the Exchange Visitor Program-Summer Work Travel which Zhen Li participated in at the time of her death.

Her parents, through their attorneys, have also sent letters to the Consul General at the Chinese Consulate in New York City of the People’s Republic of China and to U.S. Senator Robert Casey requesting that they monitor the DOS investigation.


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