Middlebury Woman Seeks Money Damages

In Fire Truck Accident

By Andrew Gorosko

A 2005 motor vehicle accident on South Main Street, which involved a Botsford fire truck and a midsize sedan, has prompted a lawsuit from the sedan’s driver, who is seeking money damages in the civil action.

In a lawsuit filed April 25 in Waterbury Superior Court, plaintiff Alison Sikora, 22, of Middlebury, names as defendants in the case: fire truck driver Brian J. McNeill, 25, the United Fire Company of Botsford, and the Town of Newtown.

Mr O’Neill, who is a former Botsford volunteer firefighter, could not be reached for comment.

Police described the accident in a report that was released after the collision.

Police said the accident occurred about 2:47 pm June 15, 2005, near 71 South Main Street.

Ms Sikora was driving a 1992 Toyota Camry northward on South Main Street and then stopped and was waiting for southbound traffic to clear so that she could make a left turn into a parking lot, when Mr O’Neill, who was driving a 1992 Ford tanker-style fire truck northward, struck the Toyota from behind, police said. The fire truck, designated as Truck 558, was one of the vehicles owned by the fire company.

Newtown Hook & Ladder firefighters responded to the accident. The Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps went to the scene to treat Ms Sikora for neck and back pain, police have said.

Following their investigation of the accident, police verbally warned Mr McNeill for traveling at an unreasonable distance.

The fire truck was not on a fire call at the time of the accident, police said.

Botsford Fire Chief Wayne Ciaccia had no comment on the lawsuit.

In the legal papers, Ms Sikora states that her “injuries, consequential loss and expense” were caused by the negligence of Mr McNeill.

Ms Sikora charges that Mr McNeill failed to take the necessary steps to avoid colliding with her vehicle. The plaintiff lists nine ways in which Mr McNeill was negligent in the matter. Among those allegations, Ms Sikora charges that Mr McNeill was driving faster than was reasonable in light of the road’s width and the traffic volume in the area. Ms Sikora also alleges that Mr McNeill was driving too closely behind her considering traffic conditions at the time of the accident.

As a result of the collision, Ms Sikora received a variety of injuries, according to the lawsuit. They include a severe shock to the nervous system, mental and physical pain and suffering, a neck injury, and a back injury, according to the lawsuit.

Also, Ms Sikora has incurred medical expenses and may incur more medical expenses, it adds.

Through the lawsuit, Ms Sikora seeks money damages, interest, costs, and other relief. She is seeking an unspecified amount greater than $15,000 through the legal action.

Ms Sikora is represented by attorney James Kernan of Waterbury. The case has a May 22 court return date.