Jury Blames Driver, Clears Trucking Firms in Gore Crash
Table of Contents
Case Background
On June 16, 2022, tragedy struck on Interstate 84 Eastbound in Connecticut. Twenty-year-old Marly Ann Gore of New Haven travelled as a rear-seat passenger in a stolen vehicle driven by Patrick Allen. The car stopped in the center travel lane of the busy highway. At that time, a tractor-trailer operated by Henry Belarminio Pena-Rosario, an employee of P&S Transportation LLC and hauling for Swift Transportation, approached the scene.
The tractor-trailer moved at highway speed. In front of it, another large truck swerved suddenly to avoid the stopped vehicle. With little time to react, Pena-Rosario struck the car containing Gore. The impact proved devastating. Gore sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.
Her estate, through executrix Katelynn Calderon, filed suit in New Haven Superior Court against P&S Transportation, Swift Transportation, Pena-Rosario, and Allen.
Cause
The estate claimed Gore’s death resulted directly from the negligence and recklessness of the truck driver and the companies responsible for him. They argued that Pena-Rosario failed to maintain a proper lookout and a safe distance. They also contended that P&S and Swift failed to properly train and supervise their driver.
Injury
The crash ended Gore’s young life. She died instantly from the collision. Her estate said she lost all future earnings, life opportunities, and companionship. Her family also described emotional and financial suffering.
Damages
The estate pursued both economic and noneconomic damages. Economic damages covered Gore’s lost earning potential and funeral expenses. Noneconomic damages sought compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of life’s enjoyment. The estate did not pursue claims for future economic or noneconomic damages.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Plaintiff’s Side
The estate’s attorney argued the truck driver bore responsibility for not stopping in time. They said professional drivers carried a heightened duty on highways, especially when controlling large, heavy tractor-trailers. Counsel emphasized that Pena-Rosario should have anticipated sudden stops and adjusted speed and distance. They argued that even if the car was stopped illegally in the lane, a skilled truck driver must respond safely.
The Plaintiff also highlighted the role of the trucking companies. They said P&S Transportation and Swift benefited from the driver’s work and bore responsibility for his mistakes. Their focus remained on accountability and compensation for a young woman’s lost life.
Defense’s Side
The defense countered that the accident occurred only because the stolen vehicle stopped in the center lane. They argued the blame fell squarely on Patrick Allen, the driver of that car. They stressed that Pena-Rosario had driven carefully, at a safe distance behind another tractor-trailer. That truck swerved at the last second, exposing the stopped car only moments before impact.
Defense counsel claimed no driver in such a position could have avoided the collision. They portrayed the crash as tragic but unavoidable, caused entirely by the reckless conduct of Allen, who drove and parked a stolen vehicle in a live highway lane.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Estate of Marly Ann Gore, by Executrix Katelynn Calderon
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Bradley L. Sorrentino
· Experts for Plaintiff(s): Michael J. Giordano | J. Christopher Sova | Jared DiLorenzo
Defendant(s): P&S Transportation LLC | Swift Transportation Co. of Arizona LLC | Patrick Allen | Henry Belarminio Pena-Rosario
· Counsel for Defendant(s): Ryan C. Ing
Claims
Negligence and Recklessness
The estate claimed Pena-Rosario failed to drive responsibly and that P&S and Swift bore vicarious liability. The complaint included multiple counts of negligence and recklessness against the companies and the driver.
Wrongful Death
Under Connecticut’s wrongful death statute, the estate sought damages for Gore’s death, including economic and noneconomic losses.
Defense
Sole Responsibility of Patrick Allen
The defense argued Allen’s conduct caused the crash. They said the stolen car’s presence in the highway’s center lane created an impossible hazard.
Compliance with Traffic Laws
Defense attorneys claimed Pena-Rosario drove within the speed limit and kept a proper distance. They argued the presence of a tractor-trailer in front blocked his view, and once it swerved, no reasonable driver could have avoided the crash.
Jury Verdict
On July 18, 2025, the jury reached its final decision.
The jury found in favor of defendant Henry Belarminio Pena-Rosario, clearing him of negligence. By extension, P&S Transportation and Swift Transportation also escaped liability, as their responsibility depended on their driver being at fault.
The jury placed 100% of the blame on Patrick Allen, the driver of the stolen car. They awarded the estate $41,522 in economic damages for funeral expenses and related costs. They awarded no noneconomic damages.
The verdict confirmed Allen as solely responsible for the crash. The trucking companies and driver were cleared completely.
Court Documents