UConn Settles Wrongful Death Suit with Family of Student Run-Over By Fire Apparatus for $1 Million

Posted by: Curt Varone April 21, 2020 1 Comment

The parents of a University of Connecticut student who was run-over by a campus fire department vehicle in 2016 have agreed to settle a wrongful death lawsuit for $1 Million.

Jeffny Pally, 19, died on October 16, 2016 after being struck by a UConn Fire Department SUV.

Investigators theorize that Pally, who had been drinking at a fraternity party, fell asleep in front of the UConn fire station with her back to the bay door. When the door opened she slumped over and was not seen by the vehicle’s driver, Dana Barrow, as he exited the building on a response.

The lawsuit named Barrow, the State of Connecticut, and the Kappa Sigma fraternity as defendants. Six UConn students who were members of Kappa Sigma were charged criminally with alcohol related offenses arising out of the incident, and the fraternity was suspended. The students entered a deferral program that resulted in the charges being erased following completion of a probation period.

Barrow was subsequently dismissed from the suit, and he later retired from the fire department. An accident reconstruction analysis confirmed that he could not have seen Pally from where he was.

More on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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