‘Affluenza’ Family Settles Cases

The family of the Texas teen who killed four people in a car wreck has apparently reached settlements with the families of some of the victims. Ethan Couch was famously diagnosed with “affluenza” by one defense expert, supposedly meaning that Couch’s parents coddled him into a sense of irresponsibility. He was drunk and had prescription drugs in his system when he rammed his truck into a group of people helping a woman whose car had stopped. The Couch family has settled three lawsuits, two of which were not disclosed. The third settlement was with the parents of Isaiah McLaughlin, a 13-year-old passenger in a car with a minister who died in the wreck. According to a court filing, the family and their attorneys will receive a payment of $37,500, while Isaiah will receive an annuity of $13,000 for five years, along with $10,000 when he turns 25.