Lawsuit blames Vazzy’s for cop DUI crash

Bridgeport police officer John Carrano Bridgeport police officer John Carrano Photo: BK Angeletti / File Photo Photo: BK Angeletti / File Photo Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Lawsuit blames Vazzy’s for cop DUI crash 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

BRIDGEPORT — A popular city restaurant is accused of contributing to a veteran Bridgeport cop allegedly driving drunk and crashing head-on into a young Monroe woman.

Employees of Vazzy’s Pasta & Pizza, of Broadridge Avenue, continued to serve alcohol to Officer John Carrano even though he was visibly intoxicated, according to a lawsuit filed in Superior Court on behalf of the injured woman, Elizabeth Bucci.

The suit is filed under the state’s Dram Shop Act, which states that a bar or restaurant that sells or gives alcohol to “an intoxicated person” may be held liable if the intoxicated person then causes injury to another.

“(Vazzy’s) disregarded their own policies and procedures regarding service of alcohol to intoxicated persons by serving John Carrano when he displayed obvious signs and symptoms of intoxication,” the lawsuit states.

Bucci’s lawyer did not return calls for comment. Vazzy’s lawyer, Kelly Petter, said she couldn’t comment on pending litigation.

On the evening of Dec. 22, 2017, Carrano, a member of the department’s SWAT team, was attending a holiday party of city police officers at Vazzy’s.

Shortly after midnight, the 34-year-old Carrano, contending that he was fine to drive home, got into his car, according to Stratford police. Police said another city officer, apparently concerned about Carrano’s driving ability, agreed to follow Carrano home in his own car.

Police said Carrano drove onto Broadridge Avenue into Stratford going the wrong way and crashed head-on into a car driven by the 19-year-old Bucci. Both drivers had to be extricated from their cars.

Bucci, the granddaughter of former mayor Thomas Bucci, suffered a broken right wrist and fractures of her right ankle that required surgery, as well as knee and shoulder injuries, police said. Carrano suffered only minor injuries.

“The plaintiff sustained considerable pain and suffering, which injuries may be permanent in nature,” the suit states.

Stratford police said Carrano denied drinking and even being in a crash. However, police said he had a blood/alcohol level of .25 — more than three times the legal limit.

Carrano, who is currently on administrative duty, was charged with second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, operating under the influence, driving the wrong way and failure to drive right. His case is pending in Superior Court in Milford.

His lawyer, James Ruane, declined comment on the lawsuit.