Connecticut Jury Awards $35K in Route 32 Crash Case
Table of Contents
Case Background
On January 17, 2023, a normal winter morning in Mansfield, Connecticut, turned into a life-changing day for Natasha Tehan. She drove her Honda Civic northbound on Route 32, approaching the intersection with Route 275. She entered the intersection with a green light, confident that the traffic rules protected her right of way.
At the same time, a vehicle owned by Scott Pearson and operated by his daughter, Sydney Pearson, came westbound on Route 275. Sydney entered the intersection and collided with Tehan’s car. The force of the crash left Tehan with physical injuries, a totaled vehicle, and mounting medical expenses.
Tehan filed a negligence lawsuit in July 2023 against both Scott and Sydney Pearson, alleging that Sydney’s careless driving caused the collision and that Scott, as the vehicle’s owner, was vicariously liable. The case moved forward in the Superior Court at Rockville. After discovery and months of legal arguments, it reached a jury trial in October 2024.
Cause
Tehan’s complaint stated that Sydney Pearson caused the crash by failing to obey traffic laws and by not yielding the right of way. The allegations included failure to maintain proper control, failure to keep a lookout, failure to brake or steer to avoid the accident, and failure to yield in violation of Connecticut law.
The Pearsons denied negligence. They admitted a collision happened but disputed how it occurred. The defense insisted that Sydney had already entered the intersection lawfully and t
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