Snowboarder sues after Keystone crash caused his eyeball to pop out of socket

Matt Hutchenson
Summit Daily
Share this story

A California man is suing a Westminster-based outdoor gear store and a number of equipment and apparel companies following a Feb. 24, 2024, crash at Keystone Resort, in a story first reported on by The Denver Post.

In the lawsuit, the snowboarder — Duncan McDonald of Los Angeles — states that the crash caused injuries including orbital fractures, closed head injuries and permanent loss of vision in his right eye after the eye popped out of its socket following the crash. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday, Feb. 24.

McDonald’s attorneys assert claims in the lawsuit against Epic Mountain Gear in Westminster and its owner Vail Resorts and gear companies Oakley and Salomon, along with business entities related to them, accusing the companies of violating product liability law, negligence and warranty breaches. McDonald was snowboarding at Keystone, the lawsuit states, and was moving at a low speed when he caught an edge and fell forward “flat onto the snow, with his face impacting the snow,” resulting in the injuries.



The lawsuit alleges that McDonald’s injuries were caused by safety equipment he was wearing, including “defective and unreasonably dangerous” Oakley goggles that “were not capable of providing adequate protection to the skier or snowboarder’s eyes and face.” The lawsuit also claims that the Salomon helmet McDonald was wearing was “defectively designed,” describing it as “unsafe and dangerous for use.”

McDonald is seeking compensation for expenses including medical costs and lost wages, along with “significant pain and suffering, physical impairment, and disability,” the lawsuit states.

Share this story

Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

The Sky-Hi News strives to deliver powerful stories that spark emotion and focus on the place we live.

Over the past year, contributions from readers like you helped to fund some of our most important reporting, including coverage of the East Troublesome Fire.

If you value local journalism, consider making a contribution to our newsroom in support of the work we do.