The lawsuit alleges an underage driver was served alcohol at a party hosted at the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company before a crash that claimed the life of 18-year-old Catalina Reinoso.
TOMS RIVER, N.J. — The parents of an 18-year-old woman killed in a 2024 crash have filed a sweeping wrongful death lawsuit alleging the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company #1 and other defendants bear responsibility for serving alcohol to an underage driver before the fatal collision.
The complaint, filed in Ocean County Superior Court, seeks damages on behalf of the estate of Catalina Lucia Victoria Reinoso and names multiple defendants, including the alleged driver, the owner of the vehicle, the driver’s father, the Toms River Board of Fire Commissioners District No. 2 and several insurance companies. The allegations contained in the complaint have not been proven in court.
Lawsuit alleges alcohol was served to underage driver
According to the complaint, the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company hosted a social gathering at its Kettle Creek Road firehouse during the evening of April 13 and into the early morning hours of April 14. The lawsuit alleges alcohol was served to Kailyn M. Gorga, who was 19 years old at the time and below New Jersey’s legal drinking age.
The plaintiffs further allege Gorga was visibly intoxicated when alcohol continued to be served and later drove a 2008 Mazda carrying five passengers, including Catalina Reinoso. The complaint contends the fire company and fire commissioners violated their duty not to furnish alcohol to underage or obviously intoxicated individuals.
Fatal Manchester Township crash
The lawsuit states the crash occurred at approximately 2:48 a.m. on Lacey Road (Route 530) near Lake Road in Manchester Township after the vehicle left the roadway and struck an EMT sign before overturning.
According to the complaint, Catalina suffered catastrophic traumatic brain injuries after being ejected from the vehicle. She was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where she remained hospitalized until being declared dead on April 19. The lawsuit also alleges medical expenses included a medevac helicopter bill exceeding $60,000.
The Ocean County Prosecutor reported:Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on May 31, 2024, Kailyn Gorga, 18, of Toms River, was charged with Vehicular Homicide and Assault by Auto in connection with a motor vehicle crash that occurred in the early morning hours of April 14, 2024, in Manchester Township.
On April 14, 2024, at approximately 2:50 a.m., Officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the area of Lacey Road in Whiting for a report of a one-car motor vehicle crash. An investigation by responding Officers revealed that a 2008 Mazda 3 – operated by Gorga, and containing rear-seat passengers John Winkowski, 19, and Catalina Reinoso, 18, both of Brick Township, as well as three additional passengers – was traveling southbound on Lacey Road when it struck a center curbed median and overturned. As a result of the crash, Ms. Reinoso was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center (JSUMC) in Neptune Township for treatment of her injuries. Mr. Winkowski was likewise taken to JSUMC for treatment of his injuries and thereafter released. The remaining occupants of the vehicle were also treated at JSUMC for minor injuries and subsequently released.
On April 19, 2024, Ms. Reinoso succumbed to the injuries she sustained in the crash on April 14th.
Following the crash, a draw of Gorga’s blood was obtained pursuant to a court-authorized warrant. Laboratory results of the initial blood draw taken from Gorga at the hospital revealed her Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) to be .099 %. In the State of New Jersey, an operator of a motor vehicle is presumed to be over the legal limit for purposes of alcohol consumption where his/her BAC is .08 or greater. The laboratory results further revealed that Gorga had an active THC (marijuana) level of 4 nanograms (ng) with a Metabolite THC level of 47 ng.
On May 31, 2024, Gorga surrendered herself to Manchester Township Police Headquarters in the presence of her attorney, and was charged with Vehicular Homicide and Assault by Auto. She was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Multiple negligence claims filed
The complaint alleges Gorga was operating the vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.099%, above New Jersey’s legal limit of 0.08%, and also had active THC in her system, citing information publicly released by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
In addition to claims against Gorga, the lawsuit alleges negligence against vehicle owner James M. Sparmo, driver Cameron J. Sparmo, the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company, the Toms River Fire Commissioners, and several insurance carriers involving coverage disputes, wrongful death, survival claims and alleged negligent entrustment of the vehicle.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages for wrongful death, survival claims, medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of companionship and other relief. The case remains pending in Ocean County Superior Court.
Key Points
- Parents of Catalina Reinoso filed a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from her fatal April 2024 crash.
- The complaint alleges alcohol was served to an underage driver during a party at the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company before the crash.
- Multiple defendants, including the fire company, fire commissioners, vehicle owner, driver and insurers, deny liability unless and until proven in court.
Related: Silverton Volunteer Fire Company, Toms River, Manchester Township, Ocean County Superior Court, Wrongful Death Lawsuit
