Earlier this week Nassau County Supreme Court Justice Denise Sher gave final approval to a $25,000,000 settlement that the Nassau County Legislature authorized to resolve the claims of a car accident victim. The plaintiff was 17 years old when while driving her car she was broadsided by another car at the intersection of Erwin Place and Oceanside Road in Oceanside, New York. It was claimed that the T-intersection was unsafe because of poor sight distance and further diminished by hedges, signage and a traffic light equipment box. It was established at trial that the County Public Works department was on notice of the unsafe conditions due to numerous complaints from residents.

The plaintiff suffered profound permanent brain damage, is unable to speak and relies on a wheelchair. The driver of the vehicle which struck the plaintiff was drunk and had a mere $25,000 insurance coverage. The trial on liability resulted in a jury finding Nassau County 86% at fault and the drunken driver 14%. The case settled prior to the trial on damages. Iacone v Nassau County, Index No.1993/09