E. Coli Victim's Parents Settle Suit

The parents of a 17-month-old boy who died in the E. coli outbreak have settled their wrongful-death lawsuit against the parent company of Jack in the Box and other defendants, the parents' lawyers announced yesterday.

Terms and amount of the settlement were confidential.

Darin and Vicki Detwiler, parents of Riley Detwiler, filed suit Feb. 26 against Seabest Foods, owner of a Jack in the Box franchise; Foodmaker, the San Diego-based parent company of the Jack in the Box chain; and Vons Cos., supplier of hamburger.

Riley Detwiler, of Bellingham, died Feb. 20 after being exposed to the bacterium by a day-care playmate. The playmate had eaten a contaminated Jack in the Box hamburger but did not become seriously ill.

The family declined to comment on the case. Their lawyer, Thomas Graham, said:

"All parties extended extraordinary efforts to resolve this litigation at the earliest possible moment to assist the Detwiler family in putting this extremely painful experience behind them as best they can. The Detwilers have stated, however, that no amount of money can replace their child."

"We're pleased to have resolved this matter," said Sheree Zizzi, spokeswoman for Foodmaker. "We believe the settlement was fair and equitable."

About 500 people in Washington were stricken by the E. coli

outbreak.