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State and city settle lawsuits from Ride the Ducks crash

The city and state have settled with several plaintiffs suing over the 2015 Ride the Ducks crash on the Aurora Bridge.

According to documents obtained by KIRO 7, the State of Washington and City of Seattle each agreed to pay $2.2 million spread out over nine cases.

In addition, the city agreed to pay smaller payments to three more people.

Those government payments total more than $4.5 million.

The city and state are responsible for the Aurora Bridge, but both argued in court that the other is more responsible.

The bridge still doesn't have a center barrier.

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Five people died and 62 people were hurt in 2015 when a Ride the Ducks amphibious vehicle crossed the center line and crashed into a tour bus.

Federal investigators say the crash happened when the front axle assembly on the duck vehicle failed and the driver lost control.

The NTSB says it is reviewing a modification notice for that assembly issued two years before the crash.
An attorney for Ride the Ducks of Seattle tells KIRO 7 the company has so far reached settlement agreements with seven plaintiffs.

"We hope to achieve positive resolutions with everyone involved, and will continue to work toward that goal," attorney Patricia Buchanan said in a statement.

The law firm representing more than 40 victims says it has not yet reached any settlements.