Crime & Safety

Trooper Clardy's Widow Files $20 Million Wrongful Death Suit

Thomas Clardy's widow is filing a wrongful death suit connected with the crash that killed her husband, a Massachusetts State Trooper.

MASSACHUSETTS — Reisa Clardy, widow of Massachusetts State Trooper Thomas Clardy, is filing a $20 million dollar wrongful death suit in connection with her husband's death.

Reisa filed the suit on Friday against David Njugnua, who is facing several charges including vehicular manslaughter, who is accused of killing Trooper Clardy when he drove into him on the Massachusetts Turnpike in May, reports NBC News.

Earlier this week, it was reported that none of the charges will be thrown out against Njuguna. An attorney for Njuguna argued that his client was being charged on duplicate charges, with lack of evidence for all, but a Worcester Superior Court judge refused to dismiss any of them, reports The Boston Globe.

Njuguna is accused of causing the death of Trooper Thomas Clardy on March 16, when investigators say he crashed into Clardy's parked cruiser on the Mass. Pike in Charlton. Njuguna was indicted in May in connection with Clardy's death on charges of motor vehicle homicide, manslaughter, driving with negligence and driving under the influence, said District Attorney Joseph Early. Njuguna tested positive for medical marijuana, according to officials.
Clardy, of Hudson, was 44.
Attorney Peter L. Ettenberg said the three charges were legally similar, and shouldn't be used for the same act. Njuguna's attorney specifically looked to throw out the marijuana-related charge, with prosecutors contending that he had purchased three marijuana joints at a medical dispensary an hour before driving, reports WCVB-TV.
In May, Njuguna, who is from Webster, pleaded not guilty to all charges.