Family's Agony Leads to Record $30 Million Settlement Over Fatal Crosswalk Failure
A family in Seattle, Washington, has been awarded a substantial $30 million settlement following the tragic death of their 13-year-old son, Michael Weilert, who was struck and killed by a Jeep at a malfunctioning crosswalk. The state of Washington agreed to the payout after a lawsuit revealed systemic failures in pedestrian safety infrastructure.
A Preventable Tragedy on Highway 7
In 2022, Michael Weilert was cycling home in Parkland, Washington, and was just half a mile from his destination when the incident occurred. The middle schooler had correctly pressed the button at the crosswalk on Highway 7. The first signal alerted a pickup truck to stop, allowing Michael to begin crossing. However, a second signal for the adjacent lane was faulty and failed to warn oncoming traffic.
As a result, a Jeep driven by 37-year-old Rebecca Magdaleno, whose view of the boy was obstructed by the stationary pickup truck, collided with Michael. The impact launched him across the intersection, and he was killed. Magdaleno was not criminally charged and argued that had the beacon functioned correctly, the collision would not have happened.
Systemic Failures and a Family's Fight for Justice
The lawsuit, filed in 2023 against both the state and the driver, uncovered alarming evidence. Maintenance reports from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) showed that five out of 11 crosswalks in the area had missing parts or were not working correctly. Despite this knowledge, the state department had failed to address these critical safety issues.
Michael's father, David Weilert, described the loss of his son as 'indescribable' and 'the worst thing I've had to deal with in my whole life.' He emphasised the profound injustice, stating, 'He actually pushed the button. They waited. They did everything right.' The lawsuit was dismissed last month after the settlement was reached, marking one of the largest ever for the WSDOT.
A Legacy of Change and a Mother's Grief
The family's attorney, Evan Bariault, stated that while the legal process has concluded, no settlement can fill the void left by Michael's absence. 'His life was precious, and the impact of losing him is something the Weilerts continue to carry every day,' Bariault said. He added that the family hopes the settlement serves as a step towards accountability and meaningful change to prevent other families from enduring similar pain.
In a statement, WSDOT spokesperson Kris Abrudan recognised the devastating loss and reiterated the department's commitment to its 'Target Zero' goals, stating that 'one tragic accident like this is one too many.'
Michael's mother, Amber Weilert, has become a leading advocate for improved pedestrian crossings. On what would have been Michael's heavenly birthday, she posted on Facebook, 'My tears won’t stop flowing and my heart aches. I miss you with every ounce of my soul.' Her advocacy has already borne fruit; a WSDOT pedestrian safety improvement project, which includes replacing the existing flashing beacons with fully signalised crossings, is now underway at the location where her son was killed.
