HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — As families headed to the State Fair to kick off the weekend, the family of Andrew Joseph III greeted them in the parking lot of the state fairgrounds to remind them of his tragic death.
- Andrew Joseph III killed in 2014 while crossing I-4 near the fair
- Joseph family has pending lawsuit against Hillsborough Sheriff's Office, School Board, State Fair Authority
- More Hillsborough County stories
“Go home. This is an unsafe place,“ Andrew Joseph Jr. chanted to drivers as they entered the parking lot for the fair Friday evening.
Joseph Jr. believes the fair is unsafe because state law allows concealed carry permit holders to bring their guns inside.
“You can’t put children on Student/Family Day, alcohol, and guns in the same environment and feed it to the community as if it’s safe," Joseph Jr. explained. "This is an [atomic] bomb waiting to explode and we are trying to make changes before it occurs, instead of after it occurs like they did when my son died.”
Andrew Joseph III was killed on February 7, 2014 while crossing I-4 near the fair. That night authorities kicked him out of the fair and he was dropped off a few miles away.
His parents say the proper protocols could’ve saved his life.
“One phone call would’ve saved my son’s life," Joseph Jr. said. "My son had to die for us to see change."
Since the younger Joseph's death, several changes have been made. Now, after 6 p.m. minors at the fair must be accompanied by an adult over 21.
In addition, students who are ejected from the fair are held until their parent or guardian arrives. Joseph Jr. also pointed out that more lighting was added to the parking lot.
He also said more changes still need to occur.
The Joseph family has a federal lawsuit pending against the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County School Board and District and the Florida State Fair Authority.
The civil trial was supposed to begin February 10 but has been continued until a later date, due to the sheriff’s office hiring new legal counsel.