YOUNGSTOWN — The wife and administrator of the estate of Brian Costantini and the man who was golfing with Costantini have sued the Mill Creek MetroParks, alleging negligence by the MetroParks for a tree falling on the golf cart the two men were in, killing Costantini.

The lawsuit, filed in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court by Katie Costantini of Boardman as administrator of her husband’s estate and also filed by Jordan Hardwick of Columbiana states that on May 27, 2023, Brian Costantini and Hardwick were golfing at a charity event at the Mill Creek Golf Course and were in a golf cart on the 17th hole when a large tree fell on the golf cart.

The suit alleges the tree “had not been properly removed or maintained in general and following storms in the area,” adding, “The day in question was a clear, sunny day, so any storms or weather were not contributing factors.”

The suit alleges that “In addition, and / or in the alternative, inspection and maintenance of forestry was not performed either prior to or following the severe thunderstorms.”

It added that “other trees in and around the subject tree had fallen and / or were shown to be in danger of falling prior to the tree in question falling.”

The tree caused Costantini’s death and “caused serious physical and mental injuries to Mr. Hardwick,” the suit states. Costantini, 35, had worked nearly 15 years at Compco Industries of Youngstown, according to his obituary.

According to Vindicator files, the tree that hit the two men was 80 feet tall and about 36 inches in diameter. A Mill Creek MetroParks Police Department report stated that Hardwick, Costantini’s brother-in-law, was able to escape the golf cart with the help of others, but not Costantini.

The suit names as defendants Mill Creek MetroParks and “defendant individuals” who “were responsible for the inspection, supervision, care and maintenance of Mill Creek Golf Course.” Named were Executive Director Aaron Young, golf course Superintendent Lance Bailey, Assistant Golf Course Superintendent David Donaldson, Head Golf Professional Stacie Butler, PGA Golf and Recreation Director Brian Tolnar and golf maintenance employees Shea Sudimack, Randy Orr and James Gruber.

When Young was asked for a comment on the lawsuit Tuesday, he declined.

The suit alleges Mill Creek MetroParks breached its “duty of care by failing to remove the hazardous condition on or near the 17th hole of the golf course — namely, a tree which was unstable and likely to fall. Said tree showed open and obvious signs of disease and / or decay prior to the day it fell.”

Hardwick suffered severe injuries, including to his ribs, a fractured sternum, bruised lungs, a rotator cuff injury, “causing him to incur substantial medical expenses, pain and suffering and mental anguish and emotional distress,” the suit states.

The suit alleges wrongful death on behalf of Brian Costantini’s wife, Katie, alleging the defendants’ negligence caused Katie Costantini the loss of her husband’s “companionship, consortium, care, assistance, income, financial support, protection, advice, guidance, counsel, instruction, training and education, along with mental pain, anguish and emotional trauma.”

The plaintiffs seek at least $25,000 for “all causes of action,” plus punitive damages and other costs.