NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against "Nashville Race Organizers" and "Saint Thomas Emergency Medical Services" nearly 18 months after a racer collapsed during the St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Running Series marathon. 

Joseph "Joey" Fecci, 26, was only a few miles away from the finish line when he collapsed on April 27, 2024. Officials said the incident happened approximately three hours and 49 minutes into the race. 

The 11-page lawsuit claims runners and bystanders cared for the Nashville man when critical minutes passed by with no medical attention from EMS. 

"His life is worth more than my PR. That's the right thing and...there's almost no question," said Erin Watson, a participant from the 2024 marathon. 

News 2 spoke with Watson back in April 2024.  She said she and several other runners stopped to care for Fecci following his collapse in the Shelby Park area, shortly after passing mile marker 22.

Per the lawsuit, the closest medical station was about a quarter-mile away, but race participants were the ones who administered CPR while calling out for medical help.

"Instead of a prompt emergent medical response, all he had was the love and support of bystanders who stopped their race to try to tend to him," said Mark Smith, the attorney representing Fecci’s parents.

According to the lawsuit, one racer ran to a nearby ambulance staffed by "St. Thomas Entities," but the ambulance driver — who had an AED on the truck and was trained to use it — refused to respond. Then, when a "St. Thomas-affiliated emergency health worker" finally arrived, he reportedly didn't have an AED.

“It was total chaos. It went on seemingly forever, and by the time an EMS attendant with an AED finally arrived and first shocked him around 11 a.m., it was too late,” Smith said. 

Friends and family said the 26-year-old was a talented chef. His death has left a lasting impact on his loved ones, as well as the Nashville running community.

"The family feels that Joey was failed by the defendants there in Shelby Park," Smith said.  

You can read the entire lawsuit below:

Fecci's parents are seeking up to $3 million in compensatory damages, according to the lawsuit. Smith expects this matter to go to trial in early 2027.  

News 2 reached out to the defendants, including Ascension Saint Thomas and the World Triathlon Corporation -- which does business as the IRONMAN Group -- but we have yet to hear back.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/it-was-too-late-lawsuit-filed-over-death-of-nashville-marathon-runner/