TRINITY, Texas (AP) - A couple who alleged an East Texas school district’s failure to modify a school van to meet federal safety standards lead to the death of their 7-year-old daughter has settled a lawsuit with the district.
Kim Magness, the mother of Journey Magness, said Thursday that a settlement was reached this month with the Trinity Independent School District over the December 2016 death of her daughter.
Magness says the van, used to transport special-needs children, was stopped to pick up a student when it was rear-ended by a pickup.
She says the van, purchased a year earlier by the district, hadn’t been modified to meet safety standards, including reinforced, high seat backs. She says Journey suffered a broken neck.
Terms of the settlement are confidential.
Trinity school Superintendent John Kaufman didn’t respond Friday to a message seeking comment.
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