Dallas Agrees to $250k Settlement in Boy's Death
Settlement is maximum allowed by state law
Dallas Police Video/Family Photo
Under a tentative settlement, the surviving family of 10-year-old Cole Berardi will receive $250,000 from the city of Dallas, dallasnews.com reports.
Nearly one year ago, Berardi was struck and killed by Sr. Cpl. Michael Vaughn as the officer responded to a call. Driving roughly 30 mph over the 40 mph speed limit, Vaughn was headed up a slight hill and around a curve on Belt Line Road when his cruiser clipped the back of Berardi's bicycle.
The collison was captured on the officer's dashboard camera. Vaughn, who was cleared by a grand jury of any wrongdoing, was not using his lights or siren while traveling at that high rate of speed -- a violation of department policy that earned him a one-day suspension.
The settlement proposed is the maximum allowed under state law and must be approved by the Dallas City Council. The council is expected to vote soon.
Posted Wednesday, Sep 30, 2009 - 11:43 AM CST
