It was a mild winter day in Washington D.C., on Dec. 30, 2023, when Rita Iannazzi, the assistant director of the Education Office at the Embassy of Italy, legally crossed a Northwest D.C. intersection on her way to a grocery store.
This seemingly mundane event marked an incident that would change the 65-year-old’s life.
While adhering to the “Walk” sign, Iannazzi began to cross the street. At the same time, an Amazon driver operating a body truck made a left turn while eating lunch, a detail supported by dashcam footage. He accidentally ran over Iannazzi, who many eyewitnesses believed would succumb to her catastrophic injuries.
“Thankfully, after a brief panic, the driver pulled the truck off Rita and the cops and EMTs were quickly on the scene to tend to her,” says Patrick M. Regan, President and Senior Partner of Regan Zambri & Long, who was later retained by Iannazzi. “The impact was so severe that a priest was called to administer last rites as she was placed into the ambulance.”
- An Amazon delivery truck struck an Italian Embassy official in a D.C. crosswalk, leaving her with permanent injuries and 11 surgeries.
- Regan Zambri & Long filed a $65 million lawsuit alleging unsafe delivery quotas and inadequate driver training.
- Amazon disputed liability because the driver worked for a third-party contractor, setting up a high-stakes legal fight.
- The case settled weeks before trial, highlighting the challenges of holding major delivery companies accountable after serious crashes.
Fortunately, medical professionals were able to save Iannazzi’s life, though she suffered permanent injuries which required 11 surgeries and extensive hospitalization.
Regan was referred to Iannazzi by a mutual friend, and the firm filed a $65 million suit against Amazon and its delivery partner in March 2024. “Amazon was dodging liability,” Regan recalls. “Even though the driver was in an Amazon-branded truck and wearing their branded clothing to deliver their packages, since he was hired by a third-party, this multibillion-dollar company would not accept his agency. Once we recognized their position, the case became a cause.”
Regan was also sensitive to the driver’s situation amid the calamity and that the collision was clearly an accident. Thus, the driver was intentionally omitted as a defendant in the suit.
“Our lawsuit alleged reckless negligence caused by high-pressure delivery quotas by Amazon and its delivery partner,” Regan notes.
Once the suit was filed, Patrick Regan, Partner Christopher J. Regan and Attorney Emily Lagan prepared for the long haul. The firm had demonstrated a successful track record in civil courts against several delivery and rideshare companies, but also recognized that the reality of holding a globally recognized retailer accountable would come with several legal tie-ups.
“The strategy is often to stall the proceedings, deflect blame and present unworthy settlement amounts during negotiations,” says Regan, who was named Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in 2020 and 2014 for Medical Malpractice Law—Plaintiffs and in 2022 and 2024 for Mass Torts—Plaintiffs in Washington, D.C. “Furthermore, Amazon refused to stipulate that the driver was an agent. This is the playbook from which many rideshare and delivery companies operate when it comes to civil litigation. But we were prepared and alleged unlawful hiring and training. I think that caught their attention.”
Indeed, after months of stalling and bluffs, Amazon and its delivery vendor settled in November 2025, just weeks before trial would begin.
The settlement will provide Iannazzi with the means to afford the necessary physical therapy to heal from the physical injuries, mental trauma and lost wages. She has returned to live in Italy, and thanks to Regan Zambri & Long’s advocacy, receives adequate care and can even attend one of her children’s weddings.
“We see the injustice and the way major corporations shift blame,” Regan says. “We were proud of the resolution for Mrs. Iannazzi and also wanted to send a message to other parcel carriers and transportation companies: If you cannot properly train your workforce and assume responsibility, we will hold you accountable.”
