Settlement Reached in Fatal Hayride Crash Lawsuit in Southern Maine

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The family of a teenager who died in a hayride crash in Maine has settled a lawsuit against the farm owner who operated the Halloween attraction in 2014.

The family attorney, Jodi Nofsinger, said Wednesday that money from the settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit in the death of 17-year-old Cassidy Charette will be used to support a foundation to help youth. The amount of the settlement was not disclosed.

The hay wagon on the "haunted" hayride at Harvest Hill Farm in Mechanic Falls went out of control after a brake failure, killing the teenager and injuring more than 20 others. Prosecutors said the 1979 Jeep hauling the wagon on the "Gauntlet" ride had numerous safety problems.

The farm has since filed for bankruptcy and been sold at auction.