The family of Nicholas Grass has reached a wrongful death settlement with the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity over the tragic traffic accident that claimed the life of s Yale University student in 2003. Grass, 19, was one of nine people riding in an SUV after an event hosted by the fraternity when the driver of the sport utility vehicle, also a fraternity member and a Yale student, purportedly fell asleep at the wheel, causing the car to crash into a large truck that had been involved in an earlier collision.
It is believed that the driver, Sean Fenton, was sleep deprived from “hell week,” an annual event that involves the alleged hazing of fraternity pledges. However, lawyers for Delta Kappa Epsilon have argued that the fraternity shouldn’t be held liable because it could not have predicted the “unfortunate events” leading to the deadly collision.
Fenton, 20, also was killed in the truck crash, along with two others. Five other Yale students sustained injuries in the motor vehicle collision.
During its investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board said that fatigue, poor highway conditions, inadequate seat belt use, and speeding were some of the reasons the deadly crash happened.
In their wrongful death case, Grass’s family also sued Connecticut’s Department of Transportation and two construction companies for alleged safety issues at the highway construction site where the tractor-trailer accident happened. Government immunity resulted in the claims against the state being dismissed, but the construction companies settled with the plaintiffs, as they did with the families of other victims.
Massachusetts Car Accidents
If you or someone you love was involved in a Boston motor vehicle crash that you believe was caused by the negligence of others, you should speak with an experienced Massachusetts personal injury lawyer right away. Liable parties can include the other driver, the owner of a vehicle, a driver’s employer, as well as others. It is important that you speak to an attorney right away so you can explore your legal options and a claim can be built as soon as possible if you do have grounds for a Boston injury case.
Yale crash victim’s family settles lawsuit, Boston Herald, September 24, 2013
Court rules fraternity can be sued in fatal 2003 Yale crash, Fox News/AP, September 20, 2012
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