A settlement has been reached between the family of Cassidy Charette and the owner of Harvest Hill Farm in Mechanic Falls, bringing an end to the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family. The lawsuit itself was filed after 17-year-old Cassidy Charette “died in a hayride crash” on October 11, 2014. The tragic accident happened when the wagon on the hayride attraction “went out of control after a brake failure, killing the Oakland teenager and injuring more than 20 other people.” Additionally, investigations revealed that the 1979 Jeep used to haul the wagon also had many safety issues. So basically, the lawsuit was filed as a way to not only seek justice for their daughter’s death but to also hold the farm accountable for what happened.
A settlement has been reached between the family of Cassidy Charette and the owner of Harvest Hill Farm in Mechanic Falls, bringing an end to the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family. The lawsuit itself was filed after 17-year-old Cassidy Charette “died in a hayride crash” on October 11, 2014. The tragic accident happened when the wagon on the hayride attraction “went out of control after a brake failure, killing the Oakland teenager and injuring more than 20 other people.” Additionally, investigations revealed that the 1979 Jeep used to haul the wagon also had many safety issues. So basically, the lawsuit was filed as a way to not only seek justice for their daughter’s death but to also hold the farm accountable for what happened.
The details of the settlement amount have not been made public, the family’s attorney, Jodi Nofsinger, revealed that the family will use any money from the settlement to “support a family-created foundation to help children.” In a statement Nofsinger said:
“I certainly hope that there’s a message that comes from this. Anyone who invites the public onto their property for entertainment for profit has a duty and obligation to make sure the people are safe.”
Cassidy’s family, while relieved about the settlement, simply wants to move on and focus on her legacy by building up the ShineOnCass Foundation. According to the family, the goal of the foundation is to “empower youth to make their world a better place through volunteer charitable activities.” So far it has managed to establish “three Big Brother and Big Sister programs, along with an annual scholarship, and is looking to the future.”
In a statement, Cassidy’s brother, Colby Charette, said:
“As of right now, our No. 1 coping method is to further the impact of Cassidy’s legacy by expanding the foundation. Really, the best way that we can cope is by helping others in her honor.”
As for the farm? Well, since the accident back in 2014, Harvest Hill Farm ended up filing for bankruptcy and was eventually sold at an auction. Last year the farm even acknowledged that “criminal negligence played a role in the brake failure as the hayride rolled downhill, sending passengers flying when it crashed and flipped.” As a result, the “farm pleaded guilty to a driving-to-endanger charge.” However, a grand jury later “declined to indict farm owner Peter Bolduc” on the charges against him, and “charges were dropped against the farm’s mechanic.” Additionally, the “driver of the Jeep hauling the wagon was acquitted of criminal charges.” The farm did, however, have to pay a large fine that mostly “went to charitable causes.”
Since the settlement announcement, the lawyer for the farm has yet to respond to requests for comment.
Sources:
Settlement Reached In Lawsuit Over Deadly Halloween Hayride
Family settles lawsuit in fatal hayride crash of Cassidy Charette
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