Princeton Settles Lawsuit Over Community Park Pool Drowning

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton has reached a $1.75 million settlement in a lawsuit that was filed in the death of a 24-year-old man who drowned in the Princeton Community Park Pool in 2016. Colin Simonelli drowned in the pool on Aug. 20, 2016. His death was ruled accidental.

His father filed a lawsuit claiming the town didn't provide adequate lifeguard service and failed to commence a timely rescue effort, among other things.

The case was settled on Oct. 30, while it was in the discovery phase, nj.com reports. The town’s insurer will handle the payment.

Police found his death to be accidental following an investigation. They said 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 life saving efforts.

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

Patch file photo