Posted 1/27/2007 12:30:00 PM by Douglas

Remember that guy that killed himself after he lost the "Hands on a Hardbody" contest two years ago? His family is ensuring such madness never happens again by establishing a charity to provide education and counseling to people duped by promotional stunts of car dealerships. Nah, just kidding, they're suing:

Family members of an East Texas man who committed suicide after competing for a "Hardbody Truck" are suing the dealership that sponsored the contest, alleging it allowed unsafe conditions leading to mental instability and death.

In the contest, whoever lasted the longest won a Nissan truck and other prizes. Vega was competing on Sept. 15, 2005, when he walked away, broke into a nearby store, took a shotgun and killed himself.

I hope the K-Mart he broke into sues his estate for damages and violation of federal firearms laws.

The lawsuit contends Vega became temporarily insane after standing for 48 hours with his hand on the truck without much sleep and consuming the high-energy drinks contest organizers provided.

"The term 'brainwashing' is best known from the techniques used by the Communist Army to break down (or induce insanity in) American troops ... This technique was simply sleep deprivation and stress — the very techniques used in this contest," according to the lawsuit filed Friday in Longview.

Chalala Gutierrez, Vega's widow; his mother, Rosita Hernandez; and his son, Richard Thomas Vega III, are seeking an undetermined amount in damages. It would be up to jurors to decide the amount, said their attorney, Blake Bailey.

Trey Patterson, owner of the dealership, said Friday he could not comment on the suit.

The lawsuit contends the dealership should have known conditions at the contest would cause contestants to lose control of their mental state, leading participants to harm themselves or others. Each year, contestants had wandered away without control or regard for safety.

Brainwashing? Give me a freakin' break. He wasn't held captive by the Red Army, he's trying to win a free car, and there by his own decision. Did everyone that didn't win receive grief counseling and/or blow their brains out afterwards?