Attorney Jodi Nofsinger speaks to media about Cassidy Charette’s life and positive impact

The criminal charges filed last week in connection with a fatal hayride crash in central Maine last October were reported by media outlets throughout Maine and around the nation.

Cassidy Charette, 17, was an honor student and athlete at Messalonskee High School in Oakland, Maine. On Oct. 11, 2014, she and several friends went to “The Gauntlet” at Harvest Hill Farms, a popular haunted hayride attraction in the town of Mechanic Falls. Cassidy died when a hay wagon, towed by a 1979 Jeep CJ-5, went out of control and flipped. Several others were injured.

Jodi Nofsinger and Daniel Kagan, attorneys with the Berman & Simmons law firm, represent Cassidy’s parents, Monica and Randy Charette.

On July 8, a grand jury in Androscoggin County returned felony indictments of manslaughter, aggravated assault, and driving to endanger against Harvest Hill Farms. Misdemeanor charges of reckless conduct were filed against the Jeep driver, David Brown, and a mechanic who worked on the Jeep, Phillip Theberge.

Click on the links to see the coverage of the indictments in USA Today, Portland Press Herald, Lewiston Sun Journal, Bangor Daily News, New England Cable News, WCSH 6 TV, WGME 13 TV, WMTW 8 TV.

“Cassidy’s family and friends have suffered an unimaginable loss. What matters most to them is that people focus on Cassidy’s life, her memory, and the incredibly positive impact she had on those who knew her” Nofsinger told the Portland Press Herald after the indictments were announced.

“The Charette family’s focus now is on finding meaningful opportunities to honor Cass and supporting the many extraordinary ways that their community continues to shine Cassidy’s light so that she will never be forgotten.”