Father Of Man Who Drowned In Princeton Community Park Pool Files Lawsuit

PRINCETON, NJ — The father of 24-year-old man who drowned in the Princeton Community Park Pool last summer has filed a civil lawsuit claiming negligence on the part of the town and the pool staff. Colin Simonelli drowned in the pool on Aug. 20, 2016. His death has been ruled accidental.

The man’s father claims the town didn’t provide adequate lifeguard service and failed to commence a timely rescue effort, among other things, according to the Princeton Packet. He is seeking damages. The town, unnamed lifeguards and pool managers are named as defendants.

Police found his death to be accidental following an investigation. Simonelli had an acute cardiac episode while standing in the pool, collapsed and became submerged, police said.

His unresponsive body was discovered by another bather, and pool personnel got him out of the pool and began medical treatment.

The Princeton Police Department along with the Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad responded and assisted with lifesaving efforts.

Simonelli was transported to the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro where he was pronounced deceased later that evening.

Patch file photo