Latest news with #LongmeadowHighSchool
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Longmeadow family files $1.1 million civil lawsuit over 2022 deadly crash
SPRINGFIELD — A Longmeadow family has filed a $1.1 million lawsuit against the driver of the car that grievously injured their daughter and killed another high school classmate in a late-night crash. Shea Hamel, a victim of the crash, and her parents filed suit in Hampden Superior Court on Monday. The crux of the complaint focuses on a party at Zachary Elfman's home for Longmeadow High School cross-country athletes just before their graduation in 2022. The gathering preceded the collision. Elfman was subsequently charged with driving under the influence of liquor and motor vehicle homicide. He was just shy of his 18th birthday at the time of the crash in the early morning hours of May 7 that year. Shea Hamel was the backseat passenger of an Acura owned by the driver's older sister, Emily Elfman, according to court records. The elder sister was not in the car. Court filings in both the criminal prosecution and the civil lawsuit do not specify where Elfman, Hamel and classmate Katarina 'Kat' Boskovic were going, two things are undisputable: Boskovic died in the crash and Hamel was gravely injured. 'As a direct and proximate result of Defendant Zachary Elfman's negligent and reckless conduct, Plaintiff Shea Hamel suffered severe injuries, including but not limited to facial fractures, fractures of her cervical spine, traumatic brain injury, and injury to other portions of her body,' the Hamels' complaint reads. Zachary Elfman has been free on bail and attending college since his arraignment in Hampden Juvenile Court, when he pleaded not guilty to all charges. According to the lawsuit, the Elfman parents, Ira and Ellen, knew or should have known minors were drinking at their home on Green Willow Drive. Among the defendants is an unnamed package store that allegedly sold the teenagers liquor. A lawyer for the Elfman family disputed claims asserted in the lawsuit. 'The facts stated in the complaint are self-serving and not true. Once the evidence unfolds it will be shown that Ira and Ellen Elfman had no knowledge of the events occurring and the claimants bought their own alcohol,' said defense lawyer Shawn P. Allyn, who added he plans to join the Elfmans' battle in civil court after the criminal matter is settled. 'A GPS ... had the car going only 30 miles per hour,' Allyn said, disputing prior police reports about the speed of the car when it collided with a tree that morning. An annual road race, 'Run Like Kat,' has been organized in Kat Boskovic's memory. The proceeds go to a charity fund. On the year anniversary of her death, many families in Longmeadow and beyond light their homes with the color purple — Kat's signature hue. Shea Hamel was instrumental in leading that initiative. 'I always felt as though it needed to be something momentous because she was such an impactful person,' Shea Hamel told a reporter for The Republican in 2023. Hamel, who has recovered and runs for Westfield State University, has come in first in her age group in each of the three 'Run Like Kat' races, after training for years with her running buddy. Allyn recently won a long-standing motion to dismiss alcohol evidence in the case. Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni signaled he will appeal. A pretrial hearing in the criminal case is set for May 21. Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Yahoo
Motion to suppress alcohol evidence in deadly Longmeadow crash allowed
SPRINGFIELD — Nearly three years after a car crash took the life of a Longmeadow teen, the young driver charged with motor vehicle homicide won a motion to squash evidence related to alleged alcohol consumption. On May 7, 2022, a collision on Green Willow Drive killed Katarina 'Kat' Boskovic, 18, and nearly killed classmate Shea Hamel. A Longmeadow High School senior, Zachary Elfman, then 17, was charged with drunken driving, motor vehicle homicide and related counts. Now nearing 21, Elfman has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case has dragged for years and Juvenile Court Judge David B. Paradis recently issued an evidentiary decision that may imperil the case, though Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni recently insisted the prosecution will withstand the blow. 'We're extremely disappointed and dismayed by the judge's decision with which we vigorously disagree, and it is legally flawed,' Gulluni said during an interview this week. Paradis hung his ruling on the fact that Elfman was a juvenile and not permitted to speak with his father on scene, in addition to running afoul of Miranda warning standards and insisting that Elfman perform field sobriety tests despite an injury to his leg. 'The officer's questioning flagrantly violated the juvenile's Miranda rights and the right to have an interested adult present in his questioning,' the ruling reads. Defense attorney Shawn P. Allyn lauded the judge's decision. 'The judge's findings are completely accurate and grounded in the record, application of the law is completely on point.' Allyn said. 'The police, upon their arrival, trampled over Zachary Elfman's constitutional rights, rushed to judgment and made multiple crime scene errors.' The allegations are that a group of teens had been drinking heavily at Elfman's home before the three got in the car and drove away — striking a tree at the base of the street. Boskovik, Hamel and Elfman were teammates on the high school's cross-country track team. The case has been contentious with Allyn attempting to bar Boskovic's father from the courtroom and Paradis excusing Elfman from every hearing after his arraignment. The next hearing in court is scheduled for May 7 — the third anniversary of the crash. 'Of all the dates they could have picked, how tone deaf is that?' said the Boskovic family's civil attorney, Raipher D. Pellegrino. He, along with Gulluni, was critical of how long the case has continued and the delay of 14 months for the judge to issue his ruling on the evidence. 'Justice delayed is justice denied,' Pellegrino said. Gulluni's office swiftly filed an appeal, attacking the judge's rationale. The appeal noted Elfman made puzzling remarks in the police cruiser including 'Can I get the diagnosis? Can I get the diagnosis? What's the plan?' Pleadings in the case have included wrenching details including when Elfman was informed Boskovic, to whom he referred as his 'best friend,' was dead and Hamel, who he claimed he didn't know, 'wasn't far behind.' Hamel survived grievous injuries after a long stint in the hospital. Elfman sobbed at the scene and repeatedly asked responding officers for a hug, according to court records. Gulluni also critiqued the delay in the judge's ruling. 'We're hopeful that justice will prevail for the Boskovic and Hamel families,' he said. 'The idea that this decision took 14 months is frankly unacceptable. These are good people who've been through a nightmare.'
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Longmeadow cross country state champions honored at state house in Boston
BOSTON (WWLP) – Fresh off their historic 2024 state championship victory, the Longmeadow High School boys' cross country team was honored at the Massachusetts State House on Monday. Caring Health Center opens new facility on Boston Road in Springfield State Representative Brian Ashe and State Senator Jake Oliveira celebrated the team's achievement, marking the first state title in the program's history. The Longmeadow Lancers secured their Division II state championship on November 16, 2024, with an impressive team performance. Competing against 23 other teams, they earned 101 points, finishing over 30 points ahead of runner-up team from Marblehead. Their success was a testament to depth and teamwork, with the top five runners placing 18th, 20th, 21st, 35th, and 37th. During the visit, the Lancers were formally recognized in both the House and Senate chambers. Ashe and Oliveira praised the team for their dedication, teamwork, and outstanding representation of Longmeadow on a statewide level. 'It's always a thrill to have a championship team from our district come to the State House to be recognized,' Ashe said. 'It's even more special when it's the first state championship in school history. My heartfelt congratulations to the Longmeadow High School boys' cross country team, and Coach James Flaherty and Assistant Coach Mark Staples on their Division II State Championship.' Senator Oliveira echoed the sentiments, highlighting the team's perseverance and collective achievement. 'The Longmeadow Lancers boys' cross country team exemplifies the power of perseverance, hard work, and community pride,' Oliveira said. 'These young men have set a standard of excellence to inspire future generations of Longmeadow runners for years to come. It was an honor to host these champions at the State House and recognize their remarkable achievement.' The day's events included a guided tour of the historic State House, where the team learned about Massachusetts' legislative process and the importance of civic engagement. The legislators also provided a pizza lunch in one of the State House's hearing rooms, offering the athletes and their coaches an opportunity to relax and reflect on their accomplishments. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
