Crime & Safety

Dang Family Reaches Settlement With Koistinens

Fifteen-year-old Henry Dang was killed in October 2010 when state police say off-duty Windsor Locks officer Michael Koistinen hit the teen, who was riding a bicycle, with his car.

UPDATED

The family of a 15-year-old Windsor Locks boy struck and killed by a car in an October 2010 accident has reached settlements with the alleged driver of the car and his family.

The Associated Press first reported Friday that settlements had been reached between the estate of Henry Dang and former Windsor Locks Police Officer Michael Koistinen and his family.

According to court records, a monetary settlement was reached and the lawsuits were withdrawn on September 14. No terms were disclosed.

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.

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