Settlement Reached After Kentucky Couple Killed by Falling Denny’s Sign in Elizabethtown

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — A settlement has been reached in the lawsuit over the deaths of a Kentucky couple killed when a massive Denny’s sign collapsed onto their car in Elizabethtown in early 2023.

Tragic Incident in Parking Lot

On Jan. 19, 2023, Lloyd Curtis, 77, and his wife Lillian Curtis, 72, were driving through a Denny’s parking lot when the sign, attached to a tall pole, broke loose in high winds and came crashing down on their vehicle.

Lillian died that same day from severe head injuries, while Lloyd succumbed to his injuries four days later, on Jan. 23.

Their daughter, Mary Graham, was also in the car and sustained chest injuries, but survived after receiving treatment at a local hospital.

Family Files Lawsuit

The family filed a wrongful death lawsuit in Hardin County, alleging that Denny’s failed to properly maintain the sign and should have taken steps to prevent the tragedy.

The case was dismissed on Sept. 12, 2025, after a confidential settlement was reached between the restaurant chain and the Curtis family.

Company Statement

In a statement to PEOPLE, a Denny’s spokesperson expressed condolences:

“Denny’s remains deeply saddened by the sign accident that took place at the Elizabethtown location in 2023. While the terms of the recent settlement are confidential, we hope this agreement brings some measure of closure to the Curtis family.”

Community Mourning

The couple’s granddaughter, Amy Nichols, said the tragedy struck while her grandparents were on their way home from a Louisville hospital, where Lloyd had undergone heart surgery.

The sudden and unusual accident drew national attention and left the Elizabethtown community in shock.

The settlement provides some resolution for the family of Lloyd and Lillian Curtis, though questions remain about safety standards for large roadside signs. For more Kentucky legal news and community updates, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.