Parents of man who died while longboarding file claim against Ada County
The parents of a man who died while longboarding on Five Mile Road filed a claim on June 10 against the Ada County Highway District, alleging that the road was defective.
Nathan Gould, 23, was longboarding around 7 a.m. on Dec. 15 when a driver heading north on Five Mile hit him near Bridgetower Drive. The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with police officers.
Gould had “so much ahead of him” and had recently bought a house with his girlfriend, according to a GoFundMe at the time.
“Their life together was just beginning, filled with hopes, dreams, and plans that now remain heartbreakingly unfinished,” the GoFundMe said.
Gould’s parents filed a tort claim. A tort is a civil wrongful act that could result in liability. Idaho law requires that tort claims against any state or local government agency be filed before the claimant can sue for damages.
The claim said the road’s design was “inadequate” and had “insufficient” accommodations for pedestrians, bikers or other nonmotorized vehicles. They said the road had not been properly maintained and could become slick when water accumulated on the street.
There also were not enough signs to warn drivers and pedestrians of hazards, the claim said. The two parents said the district’s failure to address the road’s conditions directly contributed to their son’s death.
The Ada County Highway District did not immediately return a request for comment.
Gould’s parents are seeking damages for his “wrongful death,” as well as medical and funeral expenses, emotional distress and pain and suffering.
The Idaho Legislature in 2025 limited the Ada County Highway District’s ability to undertake pedestrian-focused projects. Two bills, which will go into effect in July, force the district to focus on vehicle traffic and to limit how much roads can be narrowed.
