Preston — A Canterbury man has filed a notice that he intends to sue the town for injuries suffered when his go-cart crashed in the woods of the former Norwich Hospital property after a wooden bridge along a “well traversed pathway” allegedly was removed without warning.    

The town received the notice Nov. 17 from New Haven attorney Steven Errante representing Christopher Chaluto, 22, of Canterbury, who wrote that he plans to file suit in New London Superior Court for monetary damages as the result of Chaluto's injuries and “emotional distress.”

In the notice, Errante claimed that Chaluto was injured at 6:45 p.m. Aug. 22 while riding a go-cart along the path from Palmer Street Extension in Norwich and Miller Road in Preston.

“Mr. Chaluto was caused to drive off of the pathway and fall several feet into a ravine as the bridge which typically connects the pathway over the ravine was missing and deconstructed,” the complaint said. “There was no warning or blockade indicating that the bridge was missing.”

Errante claimed that Chaluto suffered serious injuries, including multiple facial bone fractures and bleeding, a broken tooth that required oral surgery, and knee, back and neck injuries.

Errante said Tuesday Chaluto was riding in the area with friends who live about a mile from the path and ride in the area frequently. 

Errante submitted four photos of the path that he said showed that the missing bridge was not visible from the view of the rider.

He said the “deconstructed” wooden bridge can be seen lying in the woods a short distance from the path.

First Selectman Robert Congdon said the town, which has owned the former Norwich Hospital property since 2009, has not removed any bridges from the forested area — now identified as Parcel 5 of the Preston Riverwalk — but has erected “no trespassing” signs throughout the property.

Congdon said he was last in the wooded area about six months ago, and said there were no signs of frequent ATV use.

Congdon said the notice has been forwarded to the town's insurance carrier, the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency, and to the Preston Redevelopment Agency's insurance, Waitte's Insurance Agency in Norwich.

PRA Chairman Sean Nugent confirmed that the town has not removed any bridges in the former hospital property, and declined to comment further on the pending suit.

Errante said Tuesday he believes the PRA's forest management contractor removed the bridge.

He said the riders said they saw forest management crews working in the area in the months prior to the crash.

Two photos show pieces of a wooden structure on the ground.

c.bessette@theday.com

Twitter: @Bessettetheday