The son of a prominent Hamptons developer is facing a $7 million lawsuit over allegations that he drove his pickup truck over a Spanish tourist who was sunbathing on a beach.
Jack Farrell, 21, is the son of Joe Farrell, whose real estate holdings are valued at about $3 billion. Two tourists sued Farrell and his father’s company in the Eastern District of New York on September 18.
According to the complaint, Jack was driving a 2023 Ford pickup on August 18 when the vehicle ran over Pablo Ibanez Fernandez and narrowly avoided striking Pablo’s brother, Alberto.
The brothers were reportedly sunbathing at West Scott Cameron Beach in Bridgehampton when the alleged incident took place.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of acting with “wanton and reckless” disregard, describing conduct that allegedly reflected “a high degree of immorality” and “criminal indifference to civil obligations.”
Lawyers for the tourists say Pablo sustained “serious permanent personal injuries,” including multiple fractures.
The complaint also claims Pablo has lost more than $75,000 in wages and is expected to need ongoing medical treatment.
Although Alberto was not physically hurt, he says he was placed in the “zone of danger” and suffered emotional distress after fearing for his safety.
Jack Farrell, the son of real estate developer Joe Farrell, was named in a lawsuit alleging that he struck a tourist with his truck. Source: Jack Farrell/Instagram
Joe Farrell has built hundreds of luxury “McMansions” in the Hamptons. His real estate portfolio is estimated at $3 billion, and he is pictured at a New York event in April.
Joe Farrell, a prominent figure who hosted a fundraiser for Trump in 2019, appears in a family photograph shared by Jack, second from left, with the president at the time. Source: Jack Farrell/Instagram
The brothers are seeking $3 million in compensatory damages, another $3 million in punitive damages and $1 million to cover legal fees.
Farrell and his father’s company, Farrell Building, are both listed as defendants in the case.
The lawsuit alleges that Farrell Building owned and operated the pickup truck involved in the beach incident.
Joe Farrell founded the company in 1995 after leaving a career as a Wall Street trader.
“For nearly three decades, the name Farrell has been synonymous with luxury homes constructed with unmatched quality, efficiency, and superior design that are timeless,” the company says on its website.
Farrell has developed roughly 400 luxury homes in the Hamptons, although critics have derisively described the properties as “McMansions” and questioned their style.
New York Magazine’s Curbed once labeled Joe Farrell “one of the most hated men in the Hamptons.”
In 2019, the developer hosted a fundraiser for then-President Trump at his well-known “Sandcastle” estate.
Farrell told Curbed that Trump spoke in the backyard and said to guests: “Joe’s the greatest builder in the world; you should all buy a house from him. Can you believe this house? This is nicer than the White House, and by the way, it’s for sale.”
Joe Farrell at an event in Southampton with Kimberly Guilfoyle, Larry Scott and Scott Seltzer
The ‘Sandcastle’ has also been rented by A-listers including Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Justin Bieber.
Farrell has expanded into South Florida, with the Real Deal reporting in August that the developer landed a $49 million mortgage to fund his massive Palm Beach Polo & Country Club.
The developer is also facing a lawsuit from investors, accusing Joe of misusing funds and exaggerating an environmental problem.
He denied the accusations, telling the publication in May: ‘I take other people’s money very seriously, and not a penny was misallocated or used for any other job,’ he said. The civil case is still open in Palm Beach County Circuit Court.
Meanwhile, his son seems to split his time between Bridgehampton and South Florida, according to his Instagram bio.
He posted a carousel on Tuesday from his summer in the Hamptons, writing in the caption, ‘Lovely summer with friends and family. I love my team.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to the plaintiffs’ lawyers, Jack Farrell and Farrell Building for comment. The company has not yet responded to the civil complaint about the alleged accident.