Longmeadow family filed lawsuit in 2022 deadly crash

LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP) - A Longmeadow family is filing a lawsuit against the driver of the car that injured their daughter and killed her high school classmate back in 2022.

Wednesday was the three-year anniversary of the devastating car crash that left then Longmeadow high school senior Shea Hamel severely injured and it took the life of her track teammate and friend, Katarina Boskovic.

Now, Hamel and her parents are filing a $1.1 million lawsuit against Zachary Elfman and his parents. He's the boy who they say drove their daughter while under the influence of alcohol after a party he hosted at his parents' home.

According to their complaint, it left her with facial fractures, fractures of her cervical spine, and a traumatic brain injury, among others. Beyond Elfman's "negligent and reckless" driving while under the influence, the Hamels' complaint alleges that Elfman's parents, Ira and Ellen, were home during the party, aware that there was underage drinking, and did not keep him from driving under the influence of alcohol.

Eflman's attorney told 22News, "The facts stated in the complaint are self-serving and not true and once the evidence unfolds, it will be shown that Ira & Ellen Elfman had no knowledge of the events occurring and the claimants brought their own alcohol with them."

The Hamels are also suing the unnamed liquor store that sold alcohol to Elfman, who was just shy of 18 at the time. Now, they're requesting a jury hear their case. Meanwhile their attorney was not available for comment at this time.