State settles lawsuit in bridge collapse
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
Oklahoma has settled its lawsuit with
three defendants in the Webbers Falls bridge collapse.
Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson says the settlement calls for Magnolia Marine Transport Company, Ergon, Incorporate and William Joe Dedmon to pay the state 4-point-5 (m) million dollars.
The state had originally sought 58 (m) million dollars for bridge repairs, search and rescue efforts and other expenses.
Magnolia Marine Transport owned the towboat that rammed two barges into the Interstate 40 bridge over the Arkansas River near Webbers Falls on May 26, 2002. The roadway collapsed, killing 14
people.
Dedmon was the pilot of the towboat, and the barges were owned by Ergon, Incorporated.
Edmondson says the settlement will ensure the state will be reimbursed its investigative costs and legal expenses.
The federal government will reimburse the state for all but 1.5 million dollars of the bridge repair costs.
