Title: $15 Million Settlement Reached in Fatal Boat Crash Involving Disgraced Lawyer’s Family
Date: [Current Date]
By: Gareth Evans, BBC News, Washington
Image source: Mallory Beach/Facebook
Image caption: Mallory Beach died after a 2019 boat wreck involving Paul Murdaugh.
A multi-million dollar settlement has been reached in a fatal boat crash involving the family of disgraced South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh. The relatives of Mallory Beach, who tragically lost her life at the age of 19 when the vessel hit a bridge piling, will receive $15 million (£11.4 million) under the agreement.
The boat involved in the accident belonged to Alex Murdaugh, who has since been convicted of murder and disbarred. Officials believe the boat was being driven by his son, Paul, who was reportedly intoxicated at the time of the collision in February 2019. The convenience store that sold alcohol to Paul and Alex Murdaugh were defendants in the wrongful death lawsuit.
On Sunday, lawyers involved in the case stated that all legal action connected to the crash had been settled. As part of the agreement, an additional $3 million will be split amongst the four other teenage passengers who were on the boat at the time of the incident.
Earlier this year, Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of murdering his wife, Margaret, and their 22-year-old son, Paul. Prosecutors argued that the murders were committed to divert attention from financial crimes and gain sympathy. Alex Murdaugh was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.
Paul Murdaugh, who was facing multiple criminal charges in relation to the boat crash, including boating under the influence resulting in death, was killed by his father before he could stand trial. The surviving passengers, excluding Paul, testified that he was the one driving the boat. A post-mortem blood test revealed that Paul’s blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit.
The Beach family, represented by their attorney, expressed the hope that this settlement would serve as a warning to businesses like Parker’s Corporation who might illegally sell alcohol to minors.
In response, Parker’s issued a statement expressing their desire for closure in all the boat crash cases and confirmed that the settlement marked the conclusion of legal proceedings.
Additionally, the victims of the crash will receive a portion of the court-controlled assets of Alex Murdaugh; the specific sum, however, has yet to be determined.
The tragic boat crash and subsequent legal developments have captivated public attention, shining a spotlight on the Murdaugh family’s once-respected legal dynasty in South Carolina.
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