EVERETT — Snohomish County has reached a $1 million settlement to end a lawsuit that claims a Darrington man died as a result of the disposal of tear-gas canisters used by sheriff’s deputies for training.
The Daily Herald reports that 67-year-old Michael Vincent died about three weeks after some tear-gas canisters that had been put in a dumpster exploded in 2011 when a garbage truck emptied the bin and compacted the trash.
Authorities said 18 other people fell ill, but were treated and released from hospitals that day.
Vincent’s widow, Michelle Vincent, filed a lawsuit in Skagit County Superior Court in 2013.
County leaders finalized the settlement last week. As part of the settlement, the county does not admit any fault but the sheriff’s office has adopted a new policy for disposing of tear-gas canisters.
