Families, Chrysler settle suit over fatal van crash

Families of the Utah State University students who died and were injured in a 2005 van crash have settled their federal lawsuit against the maker of the van, Chrysler LLC, for an undisclosed amount.

Michael Palese, a Chrysler spokesman, says the agreement was reached just before Christmas and has yet to be filed in U.S. District Court.

The Utah attorney for the families, Brad Bearnson of Logan, said the families were "reasonably pleased with Chrysler's cooperation."

Eight students and an instructor died Sept. 26, 2005, when the van carrying them from a field trip crashednear Tremonton.