Family holds city of New Britain and officer liable for Katherine Colon’s death
On March 11, the family of Katherine Colon filed a wrongful death lawsuit against officer Connor Reinsch and the city of New Britain. The lawsuit holds that Reinsch was negligent in Ms. Colon’s death after he struck the mother of four with his vehicle in the early hours of Sept. 21, 2023, according to NBC Connecticut. The lawsuit also holds that Reinsch’s employer, the city of New Britain, is also liable for damages caused to her family and minor child.
“On September 21, 2023, at approximately 1:00 a.m., the plaintiff’s decedent, Katherine Colon, was walking on West Main Street in New Britain, Connecticut, which is a public street or highway in New Britain, Connecticut … At said time and place the defendant, Connor Reinsch, was operating a police
cruiser owned by the defendant, City of New Britain” the lawsuit stated. “At said time and place, Connor Reinsch, while attempting to respond to a burglary call, drove the police cruiser westbound on West Main Street at an excessive rate of speed, with no lights and sirens on, and collided with a pedestrian, plaintiff’s decedent, Katherine Colon.”
The lawsuit went on to say that Reinsch was driving 60 mph in a 25 mph zone, in violation of Connecticut general statutes. Additionally, the lawsuit alleges that Reinsch was driving recklessly on the highway with little regard for the safety of other travelers.
The family is being represented by Silver Golub & Teitell and the Law Office of Michael L. Chambers, Jr. Joaquin Madry, a partner at Silver Golub & Teitell who is representing the family in the case, placed blame squarely on the officer and the city of New Britain.
“The driver of this vehicle is responsible for the death of Katherine Colon, and so is the city of New Britain,” Madry said. “No emergency is so great that it warrants endangering the lives of other people, as so tragically happened in this case.”
CT Palestine Solidarity Coalition announces “Vote Uncommitted CT” initiative ahead of CT Democratic primary
On March 11, the CT Palestine Solidarity Coalition announced a “Vote Uncommitted CT” campaign ahead of the Connecticut presidential Democratic primary being held on April 2. According to a press release from the organization, they seek to send the Democratic Party and President Joe Biden a message that “CT voters demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza; an end to US military aid to Israel, and an end to the genocidal occupation of Palestine,” the statement said.
The organization said the campaign was inspired by successful efforts in Michigan to vote uncommitted, with over 100,000 voters voting “uncommitted,” rather than voting for President Biden in the Feb. 27 Michigan presidential Democratic primary. The CT Palestine Solidarity Coalition was joined by Hartford city councilor Josh Michtom, Hamden legislative councilman Abdul Osmanu, and New Britain alderman Nate Simpson in their announcement, all of whom have advocated for ceasefire resolutions in their respective positions.
Vote Uncommitted CT is the collaborative effort of the CT Palestine Solidarity Coalition, which is made of multiple state organizations including: Abandon Biden, We Will Return, Connecticut Democratic Socialists of America, New Britain Racial Justice Coalition, Bristol Anti-Racism Brigade, Hartford Jewish Organizing Collective, Party for Socialism and Liberation – CT, Islamic Association of Central CT Impact Organization, CT Students 4 Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace Action Connecticut.
Two Connecticut companies agree to pay fines to EPA for federal environmental law violations
On Feb. 26, three New England companies settled with the Environmental Protection Agency after accusations of violating federal statutes by failing to file required annual pesticide production reports, according to a press release by the agency.
The companies were Seaman Paper Company, based in Gardner, Massachusetts, Ferti Technologies of Wallingford, Connecticut and Exoban, LLC of Thomaston, Connecticut. The three companies neglected to submit their production reports for both 2021 and 2022. Following a warning issued in 2021, further enforcement actions and penalties were imposed in 2022. The penalty amounts varied based on company size, with Seaman receiving the highest fine of $1,400, followed by Ferti at $1,000 and Exoban at $500.
To ensure the safety of people and the environment, the EPA mandates annual production reports from pesticide, ingredient and device manufacturers. These reports, due by March 1 for the prior year, help the EPA enforce regulations, assess potential risks and take steps to minimize them.