NEW HAVEN–A Yale fraternity is headed to trial in the case of a deadly car accident that occurred in 2011.
On November 19, 2011–the day of the annual Yale-Harvard football game–members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity were driving in a rented U-Haul box truck that was filled with kegs for a frat-sponsored tailgating event when the driver lost control.
Police say Brendon Ross, who was driving, accelerated into a crowd of pedestrians before colliding with another truck.
Graduate student Nancy Barry, 30, was killed, and two others, including, Sarah Short, suffered serious injuries.
The crash was ruled an accident, and Ross–who had been charged with reckless driving and endangerment–was probation.
Short filed a lawsuit against Ross and the Sig Ep fraternity, and last week a judge ruled that it can move forward despite efforts from the frat to settle.
“The national fraternity was seeking to bypass the jury and move directly to judgement,” Short’s lawyer said in a statement. “The court’s ruling ensures the case against the national fraternity will go before a jury, where we will present evidence establishing why the national fraternity is fully responsible under the law for Ross’ negligent actions.
