Plus-size TV star died after van ramp snapped and despatched his wheelchair tumbling onto sidewalk, lawsuit alleges
Actor and former UFC fighter Taylor Tuli Wily died after a van ramp snapped and sent his wheelchair tumbling onto a sidewalk in Las Vegas, according to a new lawsuit.
Wily, known for his roles on Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum P.I., died in Hurricane, Utah, last year at the age of 56. His cause of death has still not been released by officials.
His estate has now accused a medical transport company, GMTCare, LLC, of dropping Wily on his head while he was in a wheelchair on October 3, 2023, as reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The legal complaint claims that the van’s ramp failed and caused Wily to fall from a platform and hit the back of his head on the pavement.
The filing says Wily died eight months later as a result of the ‘severe’ injuries he suffered from the alleged fall.
Daily Mail reached out to GMT Care, LLC, for comment on this story.
The legal complaint lists Wily’s estate as a plaintiff, as well as his widow Halona Wily, daughter TulaLagalaga Wily and son YoungAsia Wily.
Tributes have poured in for Taylor Willy aka ‘Teila Tuli’, who was one of UFC’s first ever fighters
Wily is is survived by his wife Halona and their two children
Wily, a former sumo wrestler, became known for his role as confidential informant Kamekona Tupuola on both Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum P.I.
Wily was also known for his role as ‘Teila Tuli’ when fighting against Dutch kickboxer and MMA pro Gerard Gordeau.
Before he began acting, Wily, born Teila Tuli, was a well-known sumo wrestler and UFC 1 fighter.
He became the first knockout victim in UFC history in 1993 when opponent Gerard Gordeau’s kick knocked a tooth clear out of his mouth, ending the fight after just 26 seconds.
Due to his and Gordeau’s contrasting sizes, the fight’s been long remembered as ‘David vs. Goliath.’
Prior to his UFC debut, Wily was unbeaten in his first 14 bouts as a sumo wrestler, weighting almost 440lbs. He was among the heaviest profiles in the sport.
Born in Honolulu, Wily was of American Samoan descent.
His other TV credits included MacGyver, One West Waikiki and North Shore.
In addition to his TV work, Wily also appeared in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, starring opposite Jason Segel and Kristen Bell.
Wily was best known for his role as Kamekona Tupuola in crime dramas Hawaii Five-0 and Magnum P.I.
Wily was known for his fight against Dutch boxer and MMA pro Gerard Gordeau back in 1993
Prior to UFC career, Wily was a sumo wrestler who went unbeaten in his first 14 bouts. Weighing almost 440lb he was among the heaviest in the sport.
He retired from sumo in 1989 due to knee issues.
