Channel 5 Investigates report focuses on preventable fatal pedestrian accident
Channel 5 Investigates aired a report on a flawed traffic signal in Boston where Diane Ly died after being struck by a turning transportation van while she was crossing a crosswalk on a walk signal.
At the time of the 2019 accident, the lighting system at the busy intersection in South Boston allowed vehicles to turn into the crosswalk while pedestrians had the right of way, similar to hundreds of other intersections in the city as highlighted in the Channel 5 report.
Jeffrey Catalano, who represents the woman’s estate, recently filed a wrongful death lawsuit naming the van driver, the driver’s employer, and two design and engineering firms subcontracted by the city.
Mr. Catalano in the report says the accident was preventable.
"What we now know is that six weeks before this terrible accident, a meeting [between city officials and a traffic engineer] was convened," Mr. Catalano said. "The sole purpose of this meeting was to talk about changing this intersection to make it safer [with a walk only signal].”
On the day of the accident, the city approved a new traffic signal plan for the intersection but did not implement it in time to prevent the fatality.
Lisa M. Conserve of the firm is also representing the woman’s estate.
Led by Mr. Catalano, a partner at the firm, Todd & Weld’s personal injury practice represents victims of catastrophic injuries, including wrongful death. The goal of the practice is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by others' negligent conduct and to help alleviate the devastating physical, emotional, and financial burdens they suffer.