Clarence Marsala, a Trumbull school bus driver who was fired on May 30, says he plans to sue Trumbull, school officials and the Board of Education regarding a school bus accident on Feb. 11, 2011, in which a student was injured while he was behind the wheel.
Marsala, 80, who denies any wrongdoing, was charged with violating an operator's duties on stopping.
In a document filed at the , Marsala alleges that he plans to sue Transportation Manager Dawn Perkins, Superintendent Ralph Iassogna, the Board of Education and the town.
He charges Iassogna and Perkins with making a "false and defamatory" statement — accusing him of hitting the student — which was later published in theTrumbull Times and the Connecticut Post newspapers.
He alleges he was then "blacklisted" from driving Trumbull students. "This blacklisting of Mr. Marsala substantially interfered with his employment, further damaged his personal and professional reputations, and caused him to be terminated," the document filed in the Town Clerk's Office states.
Police said while there is no video footage of Marsala striking the child with the bus, a witness stated the bus hit a pedestrian's backpack "which knocked her over."
Police said the students were walking in the road because the ground was covered with snow at the time. The victim later claimed her right arm and the right side of her stomach began to hurt her, according to police.
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The accident occurred as Marsal turned left onto Fernwood Road from Sport Hill Road, police said.
Specifically, Marsala said he will claim:
- Defamation;
- interference with a contract;
- invasion of privacy;
- Negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
He seeks economic damages, punitive damage and cessation of defamation.
