Case Background
Sherlette Duncan, a resident of Connecticut, filed a lawsuit following a motor vehicle accident that took place on August 3, 2022, in New Haven. The incident occurred around 5:00 PM while Duncan traveled as a passenger on a city bus heading northbound on Broadway Street.
Cause
The legal action arose when a sudden and abrupt collision occurred between the city bus and a BMW vehicle. The driver of the BMW, Chiara Corazzini, had attempted to parallel park on Broadway Street when the two vehicles collided. Duncan claimed that this impact caused her body to twist and jerk violently, leading to significant physical trauma.
Injury
Duncan reported sustaining various serious personal injuries to her back and legs. Her medical complaints included acute and chronic lower back pain, right-sided sciatica, and bilateral lower back pain. She also suffered from stiffness, a limited range of motion, and altered body mechanics. A post-traumatic misalignment of her spinal discs and muscles, known as increased lumbar lordosis, was also documented.
Damages Sought
In her complaint, Duncan sought several forms of relief from the Court. She demanded monetary damages for her physical injuries, pain and suffering, and the loss of enjoyment of life. Additionally, she requested compensation for hospitalizations, medical treatments, diagnostic scans, and lost wages resulting from the accident.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Sherlette Duncan.
Counsel for Plaintiff(s): John M. Spielman
Defendant(s): Connecticut Transit District Consortium | Andrea Corazzini | Chiara Corazzini.
Counsel for Defendant(s): Ronald D. Williams, Jr.
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Claims
Duncan’s legal team argued that the Greater New Haven Transit District (GNHTD) failed in its duty as a common carrier to provide the highest degree of care for its passengers. They alleged the bus driver lacked proper control and failed to steer the vehicle safely to avoid the collision. Furthermore, the Plaintiff claimed that Chiara Corazzini had been negligent by failing to keep a proper lookout and making an unsafe movement while trying to park.
Defense
The Transit District contested the claims by asserting that they were not responsible for the accident. In their formal answer, they admitted that Duncan was a passenger on a "CT Transit bus" but denied that she was on a "Greater New Haven Transit District bus" at the exact time of the accident. They maintained that the bus was operated in a reasonable manner and that the fault lay elsewhere.
Jury Verdict
The trial concluded on September 24, 2025, before Honorable William F. Clark. After hearing the evidence presented by both sides regarding the collision on Broadway Street, the jury reached a decision.
The jury returned a verdict in favor of the Defendants. Specifically, the foreperson, Patricio Moschcovich, signed the verdict forms stating that the jury found the issues in favor of the Connecticut Transit District and against the Plaintiff, Sherlette Duncan. Following the jury's decision, the Court entered a final judgment for the Defendants on September 24, 2025, meaning the Plaintiff did not recover the damages she had sought in her complaint.
