Douglas v. Henry: I-95 Stratford Highway Collision Case
Table of Contents
Case Background
A late-night journey on one of Connecticut’s busiest highways turned into a legal battle after a two-car collision left a family seeking justice for their injuries. On the night of October 14, 2021, James Douglas steered his vehicle down the center lane of Interstate 95 South in Stratford. His passengers, Alayshia Tedder and her minor daughter, Jah’Layshia Douglas, sat with him as they traveled through the coastal town around 10:30 p.m. At the same time, Travis Henry drove a car owned by Christie Panton in the adjacent left lane. The trip ended abruptly when the two vehicles collided, an event that the Douglas family blamed entirely on Henry’s driving. Believing that the crash resulted from a reckless lane change, the family filed a lawsuit in the New Haven Superior Court in late 2023. They sought to hold both the driver and the vehicle owner responsible for the physical and financial aftermath of the wreck.
Cause
The heart of the dispute centered on a sudden maneuver on the highway. James Douglas alleged that Travis Henry unexpectedly drifted from the left lane into the center lane without any prior warning. This movement caused Henry’s vehicle to strike the family’s car. The Plaintiffs argued that Henry had failed to keep his vehicle under proper control and neglected to stay within his designated lane. They further contended that Christie Panton bore responsibility because she had allowed Henry to use her vehicle that night.
Injury
The collision caused a range of physical problems for the three people inside the Douglas vehicle. James Douglas, Alayshia Tedder, and young Jah’Layshia all reported suffering severe and painful injuries. These ailments required immediate medical attention and led to ongoing treatment. The family described how the crash disrupted their daily lives, causing physical suffering and mental anguish. They claimed that the injuries affected their ability to work and enjoy life as they had before the October night on the interstate.
Damages Sought
In their complaint, the family requested compensatory damages to cover their mounting losses. They sought reimbursement for the medical bills they accrued while treating their injuries, as well as funds for any care they might need in the future. James Douglas also sought compensation for lost wages, as his injuries prevented him from working. The family asked the Court for a financial award that would fairly address their pain, suffering, and the overall limitation on their ability to engage in life's activities.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
The legal proceedings moved through the New Haven Court system as both sides gathered evidence to support their versions of the crash. The case focused on standard traffic laws and the responsibilities of drivers on high-speed highways.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): James Douglas | Alayshia Tedder | Jah’Layshia Douglas (a minor)
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): R.J. Weber, III of Weber & Rubano, LLC
Defendant(s): Travis Henry | Christie Panton
· Counsel for Defendant(s): D. Wade Luckett of Mazza and Welch
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
R.J. Weber, representing the family, argued that Travis Henry had acted with negligence and carelessness. He emphasized that Henry failed to keep a proper lookout for other cars and drove at a speed that was unreasonable for the conditions. Weber’s strategy focused on the idea that a driver must ensure a lane change is safe before moving, an obligation he claimed Henry completely ignored.
D. Wade Luckett, the defense attorney, presented a very different story. He argued that James Douglas, not Henry, was the one who drove recklessly. Luckett contended that Douglas had been speeding and failed to stay in his own lane. The defense suggested that any injuries the family suffered resulted from Douglas’s own failure to avoid the accident when he had the chance.
Claims
The family brought forward several specific legal claims:
Negligence against Travis Henry: They argued his poor driving directly caused the crash.
Vicarious Liability against Christie Panton: They claimed that as the owner of the car, she was legally responsible for the actions of the person she allowed to drive it.
Statutory Violations: They alleged that Henry broke state laws regarding lane safety and right-of-way.
Defense
The Defendants filed a detailed response that denied nearly all the family’s allegations. They utilized "Special Defenses," which are legal arguments intended to shift or eliminate blame. They claimed that James Douglas was contributorily negligent. Specifically, they argued that he drove too fast for the weather conditions and failed to yield the right of way to a vehicle that was already established in a lane. They maintained that Douglas’s own actions were the true legal cause of the collision.
Jury Verdict
After two years of legal maneuvering, the case finally reached a jury on 21st November 2025. The jurors listened to the testimony and reviewed the evidence regarding the night of the crash in Stratford.
The jury reached a definitive conclusion on November 21, 2025. They did not find the Defendants responsible for the injuries claimed by the Douglas family. In separate verdict forms, the jury found in favor of Travis Henry and Christie Panton and against both James Douglas and Alayshia Tedder. This meant that the jury believed the evidence supported the defense's version of events or that the Plaintiffs failed to prove the Defendants were at fault.
Jury Verdict: Defense Verdict
On December 3, 2025, Judge Matthew Frechette entered the final judgment based on those jury verdicts. The Court officially ruled that the Douglas family would receive no compensation from Henry or Panton. The judgment closed the case, effectively ending the family's attempt to recover damages for the 2021 highway accident.