The Michigan State University sign on the corner of Trowbridge Rd. and S Harrison Rd. in East Lansing, MI on March 10, 2026.
A Michigan State University student is alleging that a “dangerous obstruction” on a campus sidewalk led to an accident while she was a passenger on an athletics department golf cart.
Mechanical engineering sophomore Regina Carbajal sustained injuries to her right hand after an athletics golf cart collided with a stone pillar in front of Campbell Hall, according to a notice of intent to sue sent to MSU on January 28 and obtained by The State News through a public records request.
The filing, though not specific about how Carbajal’s hand was injured, states that her injuries required medical transportation and treatment. Carbajal did not respond to emails requesting comment.
The event in question occurred Oct. 11, 2025, according to the filing, and was “the result of a defective roadway” under the care of the several parties she says she intends to sue.
Carbajal says she was sitting in the front passenger seat of an MSU athletics golf cart traversing the sidewalk in front of Campbell Hall and parallel to Abbot Road when the cart’s driver collided with a stone pillar, which she claims was not properly marked or barricaded, in front of the dormitory.
“The sidewalk was unsafe and defective due to the presence of a fixed stone pillar/structure constructed within and/or immediately adjacent to the sidewalk travel path, creating an unreasonably dangerous obstruction to persons lawfully using the sidewalk,” the filing stated.
Furthermore, Carbajal alleged that the parties had “constructive knowledge of this defect” yet failed to fix it.
The document states that Carbajal “intends to hold The State of Michigan, Michigan Department of Transportation, Ingham County Road Department, Michigan State University, Michigan State Board of Trustees, and the Michigan State Athletic Department responsible for all damages” relating to the accident.
An MSU Department of Police and Public Safety report attached to the filing notes that the golf cart sustained minor dents and scratches “likely not needing repair.” The report notes that Carbajal sustained an “impact injury to right hand requiring medical transportation and treatment.”
Carbajal’s lead attorney James Wendt wrote to The State News in an email that he will not be commenting on the matter “other than we are pursuing this matter on behalf of our client.”
University Spokesperson Amber McCann wrote in a text message that the university does not comment on litigation.
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