Concert-goer says ‘DJ Steve Aoki broke my neck’
Steve Aoki has gone too far. While his stage antics have become an integral part of his identity, they’ve also served as one of the biggest criticisms of his show. Despite the backlash against these facets of his performances, Aoki has continued on with his crowd-rafting and cake-throwing as if nothing is wrong. Now, however, Aoki may have a legal-basis to stop.
Enter Brittany Hickman. Back in 2012, the soft-spoken Michigan native attended a Steve Aoki concert in San Diego, unbeknownst of EDM culture nor the nature of Aoki’s show. Standing with friends at the front of the crowd, Brittany soon found herself at the receiving end of a giant pool raft and a stage-diving Aoki. As it happened, Hickman was knocked unconscious from the blow, and in the days after, soon found out she had broken her neck from the incident.
Now, Hickman has filed a lawsuit against both Steve Aoki and the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. Speaking out for the first time on the incident, she told ABC 10 News: “I was trapped underneath the pool raft because they threw it out right where I was standing. My friends told me he landed on top of the pool raft, hit me on top of the head and I got knocked over.”
Hickman was not immediately aware of her condition. Rather, she visited the hospital for a CAT scan a few days later, only to discover the seriousness of her injury. She later reflected: “If I would have thrown my arms above my head or reached for something, I could have paralyzed myself.”
The case is now headed to trial. ABC 10 reached out to Steve Aoki’s team for a response, to which they replied:
“Thank you for your inquiry. As you know I am the attorney representing Mr. Aoki. This matter arises out of an incident which occurred at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, three years ago. In addition to Mr. Aoki, Ms. Hickman is also suing Hard Rock. Trial in this matter is scheduled for August 28, 2015 before Judge Pressman of the San Diego Superior Court. Because of the ongoing litigation and the pending trial date it would not be appropriate for us to respond to your inquiry at this time or permit an interview.”
Via: ABC 10 News
Categories: News