Son Of Famed NYC Restaurateur Killed In Freak Escalator Accident

This is so sad! And kind of terrifying if you think about it too much…

Ernest Vogliano, Jr. was killed last Saturday, March 18 in a horrible accident — and no one seems to understand how! Vogliano, son of the well-known New York City restaurant owner of the same name, was reportedly riding the escalator in Madison Square Garden after watching a New York Rangers game when somehow he fell — nearly three whole stories!

According to the NYPD, police responded to a 911 call about an injury at around 10:40 p.m. that night — they found Vogliano suffering from severe head trauma and unresponsive. He was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, but it was too late. The 61-year-old was pronounced dead.

An autopsy found simply that the cause of death was blunt force trauma; based on the available information, the manner of death was ruled an accident.

The thing is, despite the world-famous arena being an incredibly popular tourist destination — and presumably packed for the game — no one seems to know how he fell! Or at least if they do, they’re not telling the family. According to the New York Post, Ernest’s widow, Lesa Vogliano, has hired an attorney to get to the bottom of it all — because she says the details are being kept from her!

Family attorney Fred Eisenberg has demanded the Garden turn over all evidence of the incident, including surveillance footage. He told the Post:

“We have no idea what happened, but they do. We have to review the evidence. We know that he was there and we know that he died. We’d like to find out how.”

A rep for the Garden released a statement of condolences — which also reaffirmed the death was just “a tragic accident”:

“A fan at this past Saturday’s Rangers game was injured in a tragic accident while he was exiting the venue and was immediately transported to a local hospital where he passed away. Our deepest and heartfelt condolences go out to his loved ones.”

But they won’t give the poor man’s wife any more information? Hmm.

As noted by the Post, MSG owner James Dolan is currently under investigation by the New York State Liquor Authority, which could result in the liquor license of the Garden being revoked. That would cost the venue an inestimable amount of income. It’s unknown if the deceased was drinking that night.

Vogliano’s father owned beloved Italian eatery Il Vagabondo for over 50 years. He didn’t follow in the family business, becoming a graphic designer instead. He is survived by three siblings, his wife, and their two children. His obituary read:

“Ernest was a friend to many; he loved life and will be remembered for his wide range of interests, from world travel and adventure to horses, beekeeping, skiing, and hockey. He was passionate about giving back to the community and took great pride in being a volunteer firefighter in Bedford, NY.”

Sounds like a life well lived. Our thoughts are with his loved ones — we hope they get the answers they need.

[Image via Ernest Vogliano/Facebook/New York Rangers/YouTube.]