Paterson paying $215,000 to settle DPW car crash lawsuit
By Paterson Times Staff
Published: September 23, 2021
Municipal officials agreed to pay $215,000 to settle a couple’s lawsuit that stemmed from a public works vehicle crash.
Edih Sosa-Depena and Yennifer Liz sued the city of Paterson in 2018. The lawsuit alleged on May 2, 2016, Sosa-Depena, driver, and his wife Liz, passenger, were in a 2016 Acura that was traveling on North 3rd Street at the intersection of Clinton Street at around 10:20 a.m.
Public works employee Miguel Cepero, a sanitation inspector, was operating a 2009 Ford Escape owned by the city. He “failed to properly control his vehicle” and collided with the couple’s vehicle at the intersection, alleges the lawsuit.
The lawsuit states Cepero operated the vehicle with “carelessness and recklessness.” Cepero later resigned from his job, according to officials.
Sosa-Depena and Liz sustained “severe injuries” and were “rendered disabled,” according to the lawsuit.
Members of the City Council approved the settlement on Tuesday night.