The wife of a former Bridgeport resident who died in a July auto accident in Bethany is suing the driver who crossed over the center lane in “head on traffic,” according to a State Police report and witnesses at the scene. Jill Kwochka is demanding more than $10 million in the complaint brought by Bridgeport attorney Tom Ganim.
“This loss was a true tragedy to all who knew and loved John Kwochka,” says Ganim. “He was, by all accounts, an exceptional man. His family is devastated.”
John Kwochka, 43, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police say Amanda Cashmore, 21, was the driver heading eastbound on Cheshire Road, also known as Route 42, in Bethany when her Ford truck crossed over into oncoming westbound traffic crashing into the victim’s Chevy Impala. Cashmore received minor injuries. Alan Cashmore, who owned the vehicle, is also named as a defendant.
The autopsy report shows that the victim suffered rib and pelvis fractures with “blunt impact of torso and extremities with fractures and visceral injuries.”
The lawsuit claims the defendant, Amanda Cashmore, was negligent and careless in causing the accident.
“The motor vehicle accident and collision was caused as a result of the recklessness of the Defendant, Amanda Cashmore, and that recklessness was a substantial factor in causing the accident, injuries and damages. The Defendant, Amanda Cashmore, operated her motor vehicle with reckless disregard for the health, safety and well being of the Plaintiff and others on the road.”
Kwochka was born in Bridgeport and had been a Shelton resident. An avid writer, he had a novel published, Sacrifice Your Love, and was working on a second book. In addition to his wife Jill, he is survived by a daughter and his parents.
