$4 million settlement after street-sweeper death in Bellevue

SEATTLE — The family of a man who was crushed to death by a street sweeper in Bellevue has agreed to settle a wrongful death case for $4 million.

Alexandru Culai, 44 and the father of three children, was walking near a construction zone when the machine backed up and ran him over in February 2018.

Culai’s family sued the company that operated the street sweeper — Nelson and Sons Construction, doing business as Team Nelson — in King County Superior Court. Kevin Coluccio, an attorney for the family, said Tuesday the settlement still needs court approval.

The company did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

The settlement, which is expected to be paid by insurance, will benefit Culai’s widow and 2-year-old son as well as 16- and 10-year-old sons from a prior marriage, Coluccio said. A large part will be held in trust for the boys for college or career training.

Culai was a Christian musician and a professional truck driver. He was walking to pick up his tractor-trailer when he was struck.

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