Politics & Government
$2.5 Million Settlement Likely After Tree Killed Motorists
A tree fell on the Merritt Parkway and killed a couple. The state legislature is set to approve the settlement Friday.
WESTPORT, CT — The family of a couple killed after a tree fell on the Merritt Parkway in 2007 is set to receive a $2.5 million judgement from the state.
Dr. Joseph Stavola, 46, and wife Jeanne Serocke, 44, were killed after the tree fell on their car in the Westport section of the highway, according to the Connecticut Post.
The estate originally sued the state for $15 million and claimed the state was negligent for failing to properly inspect the tree. Those who seek to sue the state must first go through the Office of the Claims Commissioner due to the state's sovereign immunity from lawsuits.
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Their two sons who were 9 and 7-years-old at the time survived the crash.
The state legislature will likely approve the judgement Friday.
Find out what's happening in Westportfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Read the full Post report here.
Image via Shutterstock
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