Atlanta Apartments Where Student Died in Elevator Had Code Violations

The Atlanta apartment complex where a preparatory academy student-athlete was crushed by an elevator has been found to have multiple fire and building code violations, the Georgia insurance commissioner said.

The midtown complex is where 18-year-old JauMarcus McFarland, a football player at Champion Prep Academy, was caught when the elevator car became stuck between floors in August, then it fell as McFarland tried to escape, according to local news reports.

State insurance and fire commissioner John King’s office began investigating the site and has found several violations, including an elevator system that was a year past due for an inspection; work that was done by unlicensed technicians; and boilers for the building that had been improperly installed without inspection.

King’s office ordered the boilers and elevators shut off until further notice, forcing residents of the complex to go without hot water and without the use of the elevators.

Attorneys for McFarland’s family also announced an investigation into the owners of the building at 444 Highland Avenue. News reports did not name the owners or insurers of the property. The lawyers said they also will examine the responsibility held by Champion Prep Academy, which uses the complex as student housing.