Lawsuit filed in death of Chicago actress Molly Glynn, struck by tree during storm

WINNETKA, Ill. (WLS) -- A woman died a day after a tree toppled onto her while riding on a bike trail during a fast-moving storm.

Now her husband talks exclusively with ABC7 Eyewitness News about the lawsuit filed against the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

Joe Foust has not talked publicly about what happened to his beloved wife Molly Glynn since the afternoon of Sept. 5 when high winds snapped a tree along the North Branch Trail near Willow Road.

The couple was biking on the path through Erickson Woods in north suburban Winnetka when the storm quickly blew through and a tree snapped and struck Glynn.

With his lawyers by his side, Foust said his wife's death could have been prevented.

Glynn was 46-years-old and an actress that others described as graceful and sophisticated.

"She was an endlessly fascinating," Foust said. "She was constantly hilarious. She had a devious and wicked sense of humor. She could always make me laugh."

A memorial now marks the trail. Letters from her loved ones are left there along with a red ribbon.

On Thursday, Foust's lawyers filed a lawsuit on behalf of Foust and Glynn's two teenaged sons, claiming the forest preserve was aware of the many diseased and weakened trees on that trail and did nothing to remove them.

"We know that they knew these trees along this forest preserve section between Tower Road and Willow Road had numerous trees in this shape and yet they didn't take immediate action," said attorney Joseph Terc.

Those that use the trail are aware that it is costly and difficult to maintain, but the aging trees and rough conditions are things riders say they have to watch for.

"It's hard to keep up with, especially nowadays when we have so many diseased trees. You do see a lot more dead trees now," said Scott Padiak.

"When storms like that hit I usually head for home and head for shelter," Jeff Moore said.

Foust says he wants justice for his wife, and wants to make sure no one else gets hurt.

"This thing changes you, you're not the same person you were before," said Foust. "I'm just going to have to keep working through it, I'm awfully tired of being sad but we'll see what happens."

The Forest Preserve of Cook County tells ABC7 Eyewitness News that because this is pending litigation, they have no comment right now.