SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – The U.S. Navy praises its parachute team, the Leap Frogs, as warriors “trained to think quickly in situations where there is no room for error.”
“This is what makes them an ideal parachute team,” the Navy wrote. “During the Leap Frog Tour, team members will travel cross-country performing daring feats from more than two miles above the ground.”
A Leap Frogs team member allegedly made a big mistake when he landed on top of two San Francisco Fleet Week spectators on Marina Green during the 2024 air show, according to a new lawsuit filed in San Francisco Superior Court.
“Plaintiffs Joanna DeGuzman and Millicent DeGuzman were struck by an inexperienced parachutist from the U.S. Navy Parachute Frog Jumping Team… who landed on them, causing great bodily injury to both plaintiffs,” the civil lawsuit filed Friday said.
Millicent “Mia” DeGuzman, 17, was recording a video when the Leap Frogs member missed the landing zone and collided with her and her mother, the attorneys said.
In the video, the paratrooper can be seen lowering his arms, apparently trying to signal to onlookers at Marina Green that something is wrong. There are many children watching below.
Nearby onlookers also captured the incident Video footage was circulated on social media. In one video, a viewer is heard saying: “No, no, no, he’s going to crash, (expletive) he just crashed.”
The teen underwent surgery to repair a fractured pelvis and her mother suffered a concussion, the Gommerman/Born law firm said.
The city’s Marina Green is used as the main viewing area for spectators of the annual air show. According to the lawsuit, the city and organizers from the San Francisco Fleet Week Association “negligently allowed members of the public to sit in close proximity to the Leap Frogs landing zone, creating a false safety zone.”
A Statement from Millicent DeGuzman Released by the law firm, he wrote: “This was my first air show and I had no idea I was in danger. I had immigrated to the US just two days before the show and was so excited to explore the city with my family. Now I can’t move without their help and the doctors say I may never be able to do the things I was able to do before. What was supposed to be a happy start to a new life here has turned into a nightmare I live every day.”
The lawsuit alleges that the city and SFFWA negligently managed and supervised the parachute display, failed to ensure that the U.S. Navy properly trained paratroopers to make the jumps, and failed to establish proper landing zones.
The lawsuit alleges that when the parachutist landed on Joanna and Millicent DeGuzman, the victims suffered “serious and permanent injuries” that required ongoing medical treatment.
The Navy’s website says Leap Frogs are highly trained service members. “Each team member has joined this performance group after years of working in real-world special operations. Comprised of active-duty Navy SEALs, special warfighting crews, divers, explosive ordnance disposal technicians, and aircrew survival equipment, the Leap Frogs provide some of the best special training the Navy has to offer,” the Navy wrote.
The U.S. Army was absent from the 2025 Fleet Week air show last week due to the ongoing government shutdown. Instead of American Navy Blue Angels flying over the city, Canadian snowbirds performed aerial stunts and served as the main attraction.
Leap Frogs serve for three years on the team before returning to their Marine Operations Units.