The families of three women who died when a federal agent crashed into their minivan find that an $11 million settlement was a reasonable resolution to an otherwise horrific event, an attorney said Friday.
While he remains confident that the families of Sandra Garcia, Maria Nieto and Patricia Reyes would have won had the civil case been brought to trial, attorney James Frantz said the outcome was mutually agreed upon.
The $11 million settlement was awarded a day before a U.S. District judge ruled on Friday that the criminal case involving Cole Dotson, of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will be heard in federal court.
Carla Contreras, Nieto’s daughter, said that most of the money that was awarded will go to the children, who won’t be able to “touch it” until they are 18. The children were ages 11 and 1 at the time of the crash.
“We felt it was a fair and reasonable compromise,” Frantz said. “We felt confident that we would’ve prevailed at trial but both sides felt this is a reasonable resolution to this tragic, tragic accident.”
Frantz said his clients are hopeful that federal agents will be more careful when driving in areas “where civilians are located.”
“We’re hopeful that this will send a message,” Frantz said.
Staff Writer Silvio J. Panta can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at spanta@ivpressonline.com
While he remains confident that the families of Sandra Garcia, Maria Nieto and Patricia Reyes would have won had the civil case been brought to trial, attorney James Frantz said the outcome was mutually agreed upon.
The $11 million settlement was awarded a day before a U.S. District judge ruled on Friday that the criminal case involving Cole Dotson, of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will be heard in federal court.
Carla Contreras, Nieto’s daughter, said that most of the money that was awarded will go to the children, who won’t be able to “touch it” until they are 18. The children were ages 11 and 1 at the time of the crash.
“We felt it was a fair and reasonable compromise,” Frantz said. “We felt confident that we would’ve prevailed at trial but both sides felt this is a reasonable resolution to this tragic, tragic accident.”
Frantz said his clients are hopeful that federal agents will be more careful when driving in areas “where civilians are located.”
“We’re hopeful that this will send a message,” Frantz said.
Staff Writer Silvio J. Panta can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at spanta@ivpressonline.com
