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Posted: Friday, October 30th, 2009 5:14 AM HST

Settlement approved in deadly dam break

By Associated Press

LIHUE, Hawaii (AP) — A state judge has approved a settlement covering lawsuits filed in the wake of the deadly Kaloko dam break on Kauai in 2006. Terms of the global settlement were not released. The suits were filed by the families of the victims and property owners against the state, as well as other landowners in and around the dam, including Kauai County and James Pflueger. The 83-year-old Pflueger is awaiting trial on seven counts of manslaughter and one count of reckless endangering in connection with the break that sent 300 million gallons of water hurtling to the ocean. Seven people were swept to their deaths. Plaintiffs' attorney Teresa Tico says the settlement brings closure to her clients. (Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved)