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Woman in Fatal Crash Told to Work out Plea Deal

February 29, 2016 By

On Tuesday, February 23, a woman who left the scene following a fatal crash was given six weeks to work out a plea deal or go to trial.

The case relates to an incident which took place in November 2014, when 33 year old Felicia Burl, of Stamford was driving a 2002 Nissan Altima and she ran a red light on Alvord Lane shortly before 9 p.m. The owner of the car, 50 year old Nixon Henry was seen hanging onto the passenger door which was open and was thrown through the air, was critically injured and died shortly after at Stamford hospital. The Altima then hit a BMW station wagon on the passenger side and 70 year old Judith Andruilli of Greenwich, who was sitting in the car, suffered a severe head injury, broken ribs and pelvis and died around six hours later, also at Stamford hospital.

Burl ran off but police took DNA from the car which matched Burl and also found her cell phone on the ground.

Burl is accused of two manslaughter charges, two charges of leaving the scene of an accident and second-degree assault and has been held at the York Correctional Institution in Niantic in lieu of a $500,000 court appearance bond since early December 2014 when she was found in Stamford by United States marshals.

She has 25 criminal convictions on her record that include violations of probation, drug dealing, assault, hindering prosecution and escape.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident in Connecticut, contact the Stamford accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation.

Filed Under: Stamford accident

Driving in Cities

January 31, 2016 By

Driving in cities can be very daunting if you are not used to it, but most of us will have to drive in a city at some time.

Depending on which city you are driving in, there may be many more cyclists than you are used to seeing, as due to the amount of traffic, many citizens of cities find that bicycles are a quicker way to get around. Do keep a careful eye out for cyclists as they may not obey all of the rules of the road, and if the street has a bicycle lane, make sure you do not drive in it.

Another major issue in large cities can be taxis as they can swerve all over the road if someone hails them. You should always try and keep your distance from taxis because as well as swerving in front of you, they often stop suddenly. You should also watch out for passengers suddenly opening a taxicab door in front of you.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident in Connecticut, contact the Stamford accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation.

Filed Under: Stamford safety

Man Hit by Car Outside Campus

December 31, 2015 By

Early on Wednesday afternoon, December 2, a man was hit by a car outside the Western Connecticut State University’s midtown campus.

According to authorities, the accident happened at around 2 p.m. across from SoHo Pizza on White Street. The man, who has not yet been identified, but is known to be 25 years old and of New Fairfield, was in the crosswalk and the yellow lights were flashing. He was hit by a 1999 Saturn which was being driven by 82 year old Willard Carter.

The pedestrian was transported to Danbury Hospital where he was treated and subsequently released.

Following the investigation, Carter was found at fault for the accident and issued an infraction for failure to yield to a pedestrian.

This is not the first time there has been an accident in this area as around two months ago, a college student suffered injuries to his hand when he too was hit by a car on a nearby crosswalk. On this occasion the driver hit a 23 year old man from New Milford on the main crosswalk below the university’s overpass while the yellow lights were flashing.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident in Connecticut, contact the Stamford accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation.

Filed Under: Pedestrian accident

Why You Should Wear A Seat Belt

November 30, 2015 By

Wearing a seat belt is the most important safety precaution you can take to prevent death and serious injury in a car accident and since 1975 it is estimated that nearly 300,000 US lives have been saved simply by wearing a seat belt. Here are some interesting facts:

• The overall seat belt use in 2013 was 87 percent.
• Front seat passengers are particularly vulnerable when not wearing a seat belt with the ever present risk of being thrown from the vehicle in a crash. When worn correctly lap and shoulder seat belts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 45 percent and moderate to critical injury by 50 percent.
• Seat belts not only save lives they also save $50 billion a year in medical care, loss of earnings and other expenses related to injury.
• Any compensation you may be entitled to following an automobile accident may be reduced by as much as 50 percent, if you were not wearing a seat belt.

It takes two seconds to put on a seat belt; make it a rule that the car does not move until everyone is buckled up and this is a great habit to instill in children and teens. This simple action will soon become a habit which could save your life no matter what vehicle you are traveling in.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident in Connecticut, contact the Stamford accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation.

Filed Under: Stamford safety

Elderly Lady was Killed by Her Own Car

October 31, 2015 By

On Tuesday afternoon, October 20, an elderly lady was killed by her own car in Stamford.

According to authorities, 84 year old Virginia Bellas drove home from a day out with friends in her beloved 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue sedan. She turned into the driveway of her unit at the Chesterfield Condominiums in Bedford Street but her remote opener for the garage door would not work. Her 72 year old neighbor, Sue Falzetti, came to help her and Bellas left her car idling while she got out and she and Falzetti tried to make the remote work. The car then began to roll backwards and the open driver’s door knocked them both to the ground.

They were both taken to Stamford Hospital with what appeared to be minor injuries but Bellas got worse and died soon after. Falzetti was discharged the following day.

Bellas was a native of Bridgeport and moved to Stamford with her husband, George Nicholas Bellas, in 1973. He died in 1996. She was a longtime member of St. Leo Catholic Church and after raising sons Ronald, David and Richard, and daughter Diane, she worked at Giftique on High Ridge Road from 1989 to 2009.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident in Connecticut, contact the Stamford accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation.

Filed Under: Auto accidents

Governor Signs Emily’s Law in Stamford

September 30, 2015 By

On Friday, September 18, the Governor of Connecticut, Dannel Malloy, was in Stamford in order to sign Emily’s Law.

Emily’s Law is named after a teenager from Greenwich named Emily Fedorko who was killed in a boating accident just over a year ago.

Authorities say that Emily and her friend, who was 15 year old, were tubing off Tod’s point and Greenwich Point Park when the tow boat’s propeller hit them. The boat was being driven by a 16 year old girl with a fourth teen, also 16, on board as well. Emily and her friend were both thrown from the tube but as the boat went round to pick them up it hit them and the propeller sliced through Emily’s torso. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and the girls on board managed to drag the other injured teen onto the boat and took her to the Old Greenwich Yacht Club dock which was a couple of miles away.

Emily’s Law changes the regulations with regard to the training required in order to obtain a safe boating certificate and now new standards for safe towing are including in the certificate.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident in Connecticut, contact the Stamford accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation.

Filed Under: Stamford safety

Crash on Route 8 Led to Death of a Child

August 23, 2015 By

On Wednesday, August 18, a crash on Route 8 led to the death of a child.

According to state police, the accident happened shortly after 3 p.m. and three vehicles were involved on the northbound Route 8 near Exit 12.

Robert C. Rosenbluh, aged 29, of Colonial Village, in Shelton, was driving a 2010 Acura, on a steep hill north on Route 8 and behind him 44 year old Michael Grieder of Middlebury was driving a 2014 Ford F 150 pickup. Behind that was 36 year old Joan Willoughby of Ansonia in a 202 Chevrolet Tahoe.

The first and second vehicles slowed due to the traffic but Willoughby hit the back of the vehicle in front and the SUV went down an embankment and overturned. A six year old passenger in her vehicle, Nyah Marcano of Ansonia was ejected and died.

It was not known what relationship Willoughby had with the child or if she was restrained in the vehicle.

Willoughby and the other passengers were taken to Bridgeport Hospital and Grieder was taken to Griffin hospital.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident in Connecticut, contact the Stamford accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation.

Filed Under: Auto accidents

Two men Died on Interstate 91

July 31, 2015 By

On Saturday, July 25, two men died on the Interstate 91 in Connecticut.

According to state police, the first accident happened at around 2.30 a.m., when 26 year old Steven Baez of Bronx, New York, was a passenger in a car being driven by 28 year old Sean Brown of Ardsley, New York, which hit another car and overturned. Baez was killed and a second passenger, 25 year old Jasmine Clifford of Greenwich, along with the driver, was taken to hospital with minor injuries. Those in the other vehicle were not injured.

Then in the same area, at around 6.30 a.m. 51 year old David Sanchez of New Haven was driving near southbound Exit 13 in Wallingford. His car rear ended a tractor trailer and became wedged underneath and caught fire. He died at the scene and as a precaution the truck driver was taken to hospital.

The accidents led to delays on the highway for several hours on Saturday morning.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident in Connecticut, contact the Stamford accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation.

Filed Under: Stamford accident

Biker Critically Injured in Stamford

June 30, 2015 By

On Sunday, June 7, a biker was critically injured in Stamford.

According to police, the accident happened shortly before 9.30 at night on West Avenue. Thirty five year old Willard Kemp of Stamford was riding south on West Avenue on a 2001 Suzuki GSXR 750 when Bryon Luna-Perez also of Stamford made an unexpected left turn right in front of Kemp. Kemp hit the passenger side of the Honda and suffered major head injuries and internal injuries.

Luna-Perez did not stop at the scene but continued eastbound on Baxter Avenue. Witnesses found the biker on the ground and called the police. When the police arrived an 18 year old witness was not only able to tell police where Luna-Perez had gone, but also had taken down the license plate number.

The witness guided police to where the Honda was parked with Luna-Perez standing on the street nearby. He failed field sobriety tests and was charged with drunk driving, assault with a motor vehicle while under the influence, leaving the scene of the accident, failure to grant the right of way and driving without a license. He was ordered held in lieu of a $250,000 bond.

Kemp, who was wearing a helmet and protective clothing, was transported to Stamford Hospital, where he was admitted to the critical care unit with life threatening injuries.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident in Connecticut, contact the Stamford accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation.

Filed Under: Motorcycle accidents

A New Safety Gate at a Dangerous Rail Crossing

May 29, 2015 By

On Thursday, May 21, a new safety gate was unveiled in Stamford at one of the most dangerous rail crossings on Metro North’s New Haven Line.

The cost of the new gate and new signals at the crossing, which was $1.27 million, was paid for by the state Department of Transportation, the city of Stamford and the Riverbend Center office park.

The need for a new gate was highlighted in 2008 when a 17 year old motorist was hit by a Metro North train and then again in 2011 when two more motorists were hit in a two month period.

Construction on the Riverbend crossing and the new gate and signaling system began on April 9 and finished on May 6.

Mayor David Martin congratulated those who had paid for the gate for the crossing which previously only had flashing lights and bells. He went on to say that the gate was bound to save lives.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in an accident in Connecticut, contact the Stamford accident attorneys at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP. We can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Call us at  (888) 244-5480 – or Click here for a free case evaluation.

Filed Under: Stamford safety
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