Dang Estate's Settlements With Koistinens and Former Suffield Tavern Owner Total $420,000

The family of a 15-year-old boy struck and killed nearly a year ago in an accident has reached settlements totaling $420,000 with the alleged driver of the car and his family, and the former owners of the tavern that served the driver alcohol.

The settlements were reached in September and lawsuits withdrawn from Superior Court but the terms were not disclosed there.

Papers filed in probate court in Windsor Locks on September 20, show financial details of the settlements reached between the estate of reached and , and his father Robert, and Jack Bucior, the former owner of Suffield Tavern in Suffield.
 
The Koistinens’ insurance company agreed to $250,000, and Bucior’s company agreed to $170,000 in the settlement. An interim account for the estate was approved by Tobaccoa Valley Probate Judge Steven M . Zelman Tuesday. The account allows the family access to the financial settlements now, although the estate is not yet finalized because there could be further litigation, Laurie Roberts, chief clerk, said.
d been filed.

According to an inventory of the settlements in Dang’s estate, the total settlement is $424,391.25. The law firm representing the estate, Riscassi and Davis, receives $84,000 in legal fees, and $12,297.85 in other costs.

Funeral expenses amount to $4,491.25, probate fees of $2,927.50, and a lien from the State of Connecticut for $33,411.

The family will finally receive $287,263.65, of that Dang’s mother Lien Dang is receiving $258,537.28. His father San Tran, signed a disclosure form saying he will get, $28,736.37, or 10 percent, (20 percent of the 50 percent of the estate to which he is entitled), of the total  amount.

Michael Koistinen, 25, of Suffield, is charged with first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, misconduct with a motor vehicle, and attempt to tamper with evidence. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on November 23, 2010 in Hartford Superior Court and his next appearance is also November 18.

Dang was killed when he was hit by a car driven by Michael Koistinen, then an off-duty Windsor Locks police officer, who state police allege was drinking for several hours before the accident.

Robert Koistinen, 54, of Suffield, is charged with third-degree hindering prosecution, and interfering with an officer. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 18.

In the civil lawsuit filed in January, the family alleged that Henry Dang’s death was caused by the negligence and carelessness of Michael Koistinen.

Specifically, the suit alleged that Koistinen: drove his car at a speed that is greater than reasonable; operated his vehicle under the influence of alcohol; failed to yield the right of way to a bicyclist approaching on a highway; failed to drive practically within a single lane; and failed to apply his brakes to avoid the collision with Dang.

The lawsuit alleged that Michael Koistinen knew or should have known it wasn’t safe to operate his vehicle under those circumstances, that he was inattentive in the operation of his vehicle, failed to have his vehicle under proper and reasonable control, failed to turn his vehicle to avoid the collision and he failed to sound his horn to warn Dang.

The suit further alleged employees of the Suffield Tavern served alcoholic beverages to Michael Koistinen from 10:45 p.m. to midnight while he was already intoxicated. Koistinen later drove west on Spring Street in Windsor Locks and hit Dang near the West Street intersection, according to the court document.

Dang’s attorney James Bartolini in January also filed an intent to sue the town, former Police Chief John Suchocki, and two other officers who were at the scene on Oct. 30. As of Tuesday, no lawsuit ha