Lawsuit Announced Against Assault Vehicle Manufacturer in Marines' Deaths

Attorneys representing the families of nine service members killed in an ocean-training accident near San Clemente Island last summer announced a lawsuit Thursday against the manufacturer of the amphibious- assault vehicle that sank with the men inside.

The lawsuit, to be filed on behalf of the families of eight Marines and one Navy sailor who died on July 30, 2020, alleges defects in the AAV’s cargo hatch door left the servicemen trapped inside the vehicle with no way to get out.

The service members, ranging in age from 18 to 22, were taking part in a maritime training mission about 80 miles west of Encinitas and went down in water nearly 400 feet deep.

Seven members of the crew aboard the AAV were able to escape the sinking craft and survived.

The body of one Marine was recovered shortly after the accident. The naval Undersea Rescue Command recovered the other victims’ remains from the sea floor eight days later.