Lawsuit Settled Just before Trial

By Associated Press

Norman, OK – Settlement reached in Okla. turnpike deaths case

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) Attorneys for both sides say a civil lawsuit over an Oklahoma turnpike collision that killed 10 people has been settled for $62.7 million.

Attorneys for family members of eight of the victims say the settlement was reached late Wednesday and covers those eight deaths and one wrongful injury claim stemming from the accident.

A relative of the other two victims had reached an earlier settlement.

Jury selection had been set to begin in the case Thursday in Cleveland County District Court.

Authorities say a tractor-trailer driven by 77-year-old Donald Creed, of Willard, Mo., slammed into vehicles that had stopped for a previous accident on the Will Rogers Turnpike near Miami on June 26, 2009. Creed was driving for Kansas City, Kan.-based Associated Wholesale Grocers. Both were defendants in the case.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.