Jury Awards $11K in 2021 Hamden Car Crash Case
What Happened
On October 10, 2021, Tomi Handy brought her vehicle to a stop at a stop sign. She was waiting on the Route 15 southbound E61 entrance ramp in Hamden, Connecticut. Behind her, Alexander Grennan approached in another vehicle. Without warning, his vehicle struck the rear of Handy’s. Conditions were normal, and traffic was not reported to be heavy. Handy later filed a legal complaint in the Superior Court of New Haven on September 7, 2023.
How It Escalated
According to the complaint, Grennan acted carelessly. He failed to control his vehicle and didn’t watch the road closely. He didn’t brake in time, didn’t swerve to avoid the crash, and gave no warning before impact. The lawsuit claimed he failed to follow basic traffic rules and did not stay alert. His actions allegedly violated Connecticut traffic laws, including sections 14-218a, 14-236, and 14-240. Handy’s legal team argued that this negligence caused the collision.
What She Suffered
Handy suffered several physical injuries. These included damage to her cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. She also experienced headaches and nerve pain. Her symptoms caused ongoing discomfort and limited her mobility. Beyond the physical impact, she reported mental anguish, anxiety, and frustration. Her injuries disrupted her daily routines and made it harder to perform her job.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Tomi Handy
Counsel for Plaintiff: R.J. Weber, III
Defendant(s): Alexander Grennan
Counsel for Defendant: Marilyn Davidson
Claims
Handy requested compensatory damages exceeding $15,000. She claimed ongoing medical expenses for treatments, medications, and therapy. She emphasized the emotional toll of the accident, pointing to mental suffering and diminished quality of life. She also noted that her injuries might continue to affect her in the future. She asked the court to award any additional relief it deemed appropriate.
Grounds
The lawsuit listed several grounds for negligence. It pointed to Grennan’s failure to brake, steer, signal, or take safety precautions. Each failure was presented as a separate count of negligence. The complaint linked these failures to both state traffic laws and broader principles of safe driving.
Defense
The Defendant, Alexander Grennan, responded by stating he lacked sufficient knowledge to form a belief regarding most of the Plaintiff’s allegations and left the Plaintiff to her proof. He admitted that a motor vehicle collision occurred but denied any liability for the incident. By neither confirming nor denying the remaining claims, the defense placed the responsibility on the Plaintiff to establish the facts and prove her case.
Jury Verdict
In July 2025, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the Plaintiff, Tomi Handy, finding the Defendant, Alexander Grennan, liable for the motor vehicle collision. The jury awarded Handy $11,082.80 in damages, concluding that she was entitled to compensation for the injuries and losses sustained as a result of the Defendant’s negligence.