Carrollton, Georgia — The family of a young Georgia man who died after being struck by a garbage truck while sleeping near a dumpster has filed a $10 million lawsuit, alleging negligence and seeking accountability for the devastating incident.
The lawsuit stems from the death of William Earl Head, 23, who was killed in April 2024 in a strip mall area in Carrollton, a city located about 45 miles west of Atlanta.
According to the family’s attorney, the tragedy unfolded during an early morning garbage collection route when sanitation workers allegedly failed to see Head sleeping near a dumpster.
Fatal Incident Leads to Lawsuit
Attorney Mac Pilgrim, who is also Head’s cousin, said the young man suffered catastrophic injuries when the garbage truck struck him.
Pilgrim described the incident as one of the most disturbing cases he has encountered.
“He ran over him and then backed up over him,” Pilgrim said. “It’s one of the most gruesome things I’ve seen.”
The lawsuit alleges that the circumstances surrounding the incident warrant further examination and accountability from those involved.
At this stage, court filings seek financial damages while also aiming to uncover more details about how the tragedy occurred.
Body Initially Mistaken for a Mannequin
According to Pilgrim, the severity of the incident led to a shocking discovery later that morning. Employees arriving at nearby businesses reportedly noticed what appeared to be a mannequin near the dumpster area.
It was only after they moved closer that they realized it was a person.
“The body was not reported until later on in the morning into the daylight hours, because employees of the businesses had gone to the dumpster and believed, honestly, they thought it was a mannequin until they got a little closer,” Pilgrim said.
The attorney noted that the discovery highlighted the traumatic nature of the scene and the impact it had on those who encountered it.
Questions Remain About the Circumstances
Authorities have not publicly explained why Head was sleeping near the dumpster at the time of the incident. According to his obituary, Head worked in a warehouse and was remembered by loved ones as a young man with his future ahead of him.
Pilgrim said one goal of the lawsuit is to obtain additional information through the legal discovery process.
He hopes records, testimony, and evidence gathered during the case will provide a clearer picture of what happened before and during the incident.
City and Property Owner Named in Lawsuit
The lawsuit names multiple defendants, including the City of Carrollton, which Pilgrim said is included because of alleged actions involving city employees.
The former owner of the strip mall property has also been named in the complaint.
According to the attorney, claims against the property owner involve allegations regarding the placement of the dumpster and the lack of adequate lighting in the area where the incident occurred.
The defendants have not publicly responded to the allegations outlined in the lawsuit.
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As the legal process moves forward, the court will ultimately determine whether any parties bear liability for Head’s death.
Family Seeks Justice for Young Man
For Head’s family, the lawsuit is about more than financial compensation.
Pilgrim said relatives are focused on honoring the memory of a young man whose life ended far too soon.
“He was a young man. And if all of us looked at ourselves as young people, we were not who we are now,” Pilgrim said. “We’re not who we’ve become, and he doesn’t get that chance. We’re trying to get justice for him.”
According to his obituary, Head passed away on April 23, 2024, and is survived by his sister and other family members.
As the case proceeds through the court system, loved ones hope the lawsuit will provide answers and accountability while preserving the memory of a life cut tragically short.
What are your thoughts on this case? Do you believe businesses and municipalities should face greater responsibility for safety conditions in areas where garbage collection takes place? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
