Newton Restaurant Manager Sues Driver in Fatal Crash

NEWTON, MA – The manager of a Newton restaurant where two were killed and several others were injured when an SUV crashed through the front last March is suing the driver of the car, according to court records cited by the Newton TAB.

Casey Vaughan, who was among seven employees and patrons injured in the crash, is suing Bradford Casler to recoup medical bills and lost wages totaling approximately $162,000, the TAB reported.

Vaughan is the second victim to take civil action against Casler – in October, George Miele sued Casler for wrongful death on behalf of his wife, Eleanor, who was killed in the crash.

Prosecutors say on March 1 around 6:12 p.m., Casler, 55, was driving his Volkswagen Touareg SUV down Chestnut Street when he crossed over Washington Street. He allegedly collided with several cars before crashing through the front of Sweet Tomatoes restaurant.

Eleanor Miele, 57, of Watertown, and Gregory Morin, 32, of Newton, were killed and seven other employees and patrons were injured in the crash.

Casler, a Newton resident, was indicted in September on two counts of motor vehicle homicide and one count of operating a motor vehicle to endanger. He has pleaded not guilty.

Image via Shutterstock