BURLINGTON, Conn — The teen criminally charged with hitting another teen with his truck, which led to her death in May 2023, is now being sued by the victim's family.
Cooper Ouellette of Harwinton, now 19, along with a Bristol liquor store and the host of the underage party Ouellette and the victim attended, are named in the lawsuit. The family of victim Sophie Ringquist, of Burlington, who was 17, is seeking at least $15,000 in damages, according to a lawsuit filed by Riscassi and Davis.
Ouellette was criminally charged in July 2024 with manslaughter in Ringquist's death.
The arrest warrant alleges Ouellette, who was 18 at the time, was driving "erratically" while Ringquist was in the front seat. When Ouellette pulled over, Ringquist got out of the vehicle and was hit when Ouellette accelerated.
Ringquist got back in the truck, but Ouellette would not stop to drop her off even after passing her house twice, according to the arrest warrant. That's when Ringquist allegedly fell from the truck on a nearby road.
The lawsuit claims Ouellette's actions were sudden and without warning and that Ringquist's death was caused by Ouellette's negligence and carelessness while allegedly intoxicated.
Edgewood Wine and Spirits is named in the lawsuit since the suit claims the store sold alcohol to Ouellette, who is underage. The teen who hosted the party, 18-year-old Tyler Schultz, and his parents, Bill and Noreen, were named in the lawsuit as well, for having the party with underage drinking at their Terryville home.
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