Family of Boy Who Died at Michigan Farm Reaches $100K Settlement

A $100,000 settlement has been reached in a federal wrongful death lawsuit by the family of one of two young people who died in 2010 after falling into a tank at a Barry County dairy farm.

The Grand Rapids Press reports the family of 17-year-old Francisco Martinez reached the agreement with Yankee Springs Dairy Farm and its owner in U.S. District Court.

WOOD-TV reports a judge is to rule June 12 on the settlement.

Martinez and 18-year-old Victor Perez were overcome by fumes emitted by decaying molasses in the tank at the farm, about 20 miles southeast of Grand Rapids. Authorities say they died of asphyxiation after being trapped in the oxygen-depleted environment.

The Perez family has a lawsuit pending in Barry County Circuit Court. Trial is planned next month.