Destructive Houston storm: Crane collapse survivor Crosby Ware alleges failures in disaster that killed Juan Francisco Hernandez

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A man who survived a crane collapse that killed another man has filed his first lawsuit after last week’s deadly storm.

Crosby Ware, 66, suffered serious injuries to his head, neck and back, according to attorney Kevin Haynes of Kherkher Garcia, LLP.

Ware sues Sesco Cement, ASI Industrial, Lampson International and McRay Crane & Rigging, all of which operate in the 7300 block of Wingate along the Houston Ship Channel.

High winds toppled two cranes at the construction site on the evening of May 16 as the storm moved through Houston. A video circulating on social media shows the unstable and chaotic moments. Workers ran for their lives.

A crane hit two occupied cement trucks. Juan Francisco Hernández, 72, was killed by a direct hit. What appears to be a cable from the crane struck Ware’s cabin.

“It just threw his body violently and seriously injured him,” Haynes said. “He’s lucky to be alive.”

According to the lawsuit, the companies’ “gross negligence and conscious decision to prioritize profits over safety” resulted in “catastrophic” injuries. Winds were reported to be between 90 and 100 mph.

“Our position is, at a minimum, the crane should have been rocked and the guys should have been in a staging area to ensure their safety if they weren’t completely stopped,” Haynes said.

The location where the incident occurred is Sesco’s national headquarters, according to its website.

Online records from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) show Sesco was fined nearly $100,000 in 2021 for various on-site health and safety violations. Sesco did not respond to a request for comment.

The Hernandez family is represented by the Pinkerton Law Firm.

On Monday, SkyEye captured the two cranes still where they fell. Ware’s lawyers also filed a temporary restraining order to preserve the scene.

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