Tree Crushes SUV, Woman Sues City For Negligence

TUSTIN, CA — A Tustin woman trapped inside her car by a fallen tree two years ago is suing the city of Cerritos for negligence, Patch has learned.

The lawsuit, brought about Feb. 8 by 41-year-old Tustin resident Maelyn Chain, alleges "dangerous condition of a public property" and seeks unspecified damages.

In 2017, Chain was driving along Cerritos Avenue when the enormous eucalyptus tree snapped and crashed upon her SUV.

According to the suit, the woman "... believes ... that the tree, given its giant size and large branches, was a dangerous trap for people on South Street and created a foreseeable risk of it becoming uprooted and landing on people and property...."

Photos of the tree smothering Chain's SUV after its Feb. 17, 2017, collapse at about 3:30 p.m. in the median while she was driving on South Street near Alfred Avenue, trapping her in the vehicle.

Chain incurred emotional and physical pain, including abrasions and a concussion, according to her lawsuit, which also states that she suffered lost wages, after the event.

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