Dang Family Files New Lawsuit Against Town, Windsor Locks Police

The attorney for the Dang family has followed through on for their involvement in the investigation of the death of their a 15-years-old boy who was allegedly struck and killed by an off-duty Windsor Locks officer.

Just days after the family settled two outstanding civil lawsuits stemming from the loss of their son Henry, the Dangs have filed a new suit against the town of Windsor Locks and three of its current and former police supervisors.

The suit, electronically filed in Hartford Superior Court Wednesday, alleges that October 2010 crash investigation into the death of their son, Henry Dang, was mishandled by Windsor Locks police, according to a report in the Hartford Courant and the state's judicial website.

In addition to the town, the suit names Sgt. Robert Koistinen, former Chief John Suchocki and Officer Jerry Dowd as defendants.

On Oct. 29, 2010, Henry was riding his bike home from a friend's house when a car driven by off-duty Windsor Locks Police Officer Michael Koistinen allegedly struck and killed the teenager. Michael Koistinen is Robert Kristine’s son.

Koistinen, 25, of Suffield, had allegedly been drinking throughout the day when he was driving in the area of West and Spring streets just before midnight on Oct. 29 and struck and killed Henry, then 15 years old.

Koistinen is charged with first-degree manslaughter, second-degree manslaughter, negligent homicide with a motor vehicle, misconduct with a motor vehicle, and attempt to tamper with evidence. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on Nov. 23, 2010.

Last week from the state. His father, Robert Koistinen, a sergeant with the Windsor Locks Police Department, also rejected a plea offer last week. Both cases could go to a jury trial.

Robert Koistinen, a Windsor Locks police sergeant, ; his annual salary is $73,385. to charges of third-degree hindering prosecution and interfering with an officer during the investigation of the Oct. 2010 fatal accident.

after 12 years with the department and a total of 44 years in law enforcement.

The Windsor Locks Police Commission fired Michael Koistinen, a probationary officer, on Dec. 8, 2010.

In September, totaling $420,000 with the Koistinens, and the owners of the former tavern that served the Michael Koistinen alcohol.