Waterford Reaches $2.5 Million Settlement with Car Crash Victim

A Waterford woman who survived a vehicle collision with a town employee driving a town vehicle nearly three years ago has settled a lawsuit for $2.5 million. 

Waterford Utility Commission employee Fred Lathrop drove a town vehicle through a red light and collided with Donna Antczak on Nov. 16, 2010. Antczak spent 25 days in Yale-New Haven Hospital being treated for skull, pelvic and spinal fractures, according to a report in The Day. 

Antczak had to leave her job as a result of the injuries sustained from the incident she won’t be able to return to work for several more years, according to the report. A large portion of the settlement will go toward medical bills. 

The case was filed in New London Superior Court but both parties agreed to handle it through mediation. After two mediation sessions the town’s insurance agency agreed to pay the settlement. 

Antczak’s attorney told reporters at The Day that “it was pretty clear from police and witnesses that he ran the red light and she did nothing wrong.” 

Click here to read the full report in The Day.