The state of Missouri has agreed to a settle a civil lawsuit in the death of an Iowa man at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Attorneys for the family of Brandon Ellingson of Clive say the State of Missouri will pay Ellingson’s estate $9 million to settle the lawsuit filed in federal court against the Missouri Highway Patrol, Trooper Anthony Piercy, and several others.
Piercy took the 20-year-old Ellingson into custody on May 31st of 2014 on suspicion of boating while intoxicated. Ellingson was handcuffed and fell out of the boat on the way back to shore and drowned. A criminal case with manslaughter charges against Piercy is pending.
The attorneys for the family released a statement that says the Ellingsons “wish to express their deep and sincere appreciation to the tens of thousands of people in Iowa, Missouri, Arizona, and across the country who have supported them during this very difficult time.” It goes on to say that “No amount of money will lessen the suffering that the Ellingson family, relatives, and friends have endured since his death two and a half years ago.”
It says the Ellingsons now look to the Missouri state court to ensure that the manslaughter charges pending against Missouri Trooper Anthony Piercy are prosecuted expeditiously and fairly and that Piercy never again serves as a law enforcement officer.
Brandon Ellingson was a popular student and athlete at West Des Moines Valley High School. The statement from the attorneys says his family established a memorial at Valley Stadium and supported a scholarship at Valley High School to make certain that Brandon will never be forgotten.