SAN MARCOS, Texas — A Texas State University student -- who is fighting for his life after the July 20 San Marcos apartment fire -- has now filed a lawsuit against the apartment complex's owners and managers, according to our partners at Austin American-Statesman.
Zachary Sutterfield's family spokesperson said the 20-year-old is in critical condition after suffering from third-degree burns on 70 percent of his body.
Officials confirmed five people died in the fire at the Iconic Village Apartments and roughly 200 residents were affected, including Sutterfield.
Sutterfield's lawsuit alleges that the apartment's smoke alarms did not properly activate during the fire and that the complex did not have functional fire sprinklers, Austin American-Statesman reported.
The father of 23-year-old James Miranda recently filed a separate lawsuit against the apartment's managers for gross negligence, premises liability, and wrongful death. Four additional survivors who were injured in the fire also joined this lawsuit as plaintiffs.
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Sutterfield's parents said he was in San Marcos getting prepared to transfer to Texas State University in the Fall and was scheduled to meet with his advisor the Monday following the fire.
“He was very excited to become a Bobcat once again,” his father said. “Our dream is that one day Zach will graduate as a Bobcat for the second time.”
The family's spokesperson said that Sutterfield was admitted to the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and that the medical staff estimates he will stay in the hospital for approximately 210 days, three days for every percentage of the burn.
When asked to describe Sutterfield, his parents both beamed, the family spokesperson said.
“When I think about Zach, I can’t think of just one thing that makes him great, because there are just so many wonderful parts of him. He’s just hilarious and a great kid,” his father said.
“He’s 20-years-old, but he would call home to tell his parents he loved us every single day,” his mother added. “He is full of love, he loves making people smile, he cared about what was going on in your life. I would say he’s my best friend.”
The spokesperson said the family's goal is to have his room decorated with get well cards and pictures for when he wakes up.
If you'd like to make a donation to the family, here are three options.
- Mail your donation to Crockett National Bank (Benefit for Zachary Sutterfield) located at 502 South Koenigheim San Angelo, Texas.
- Use your PayPal account to send money to zacharysutterfieldlove@gmail.com.
- Mail encouraging words and gift cards to ERA Newlin and Co. located at 1722 West Avenue North San Angelo, Texas.