Family reaches $5 million settlement with government over 2 killed during Hawaii vacation

Ky. family settles lawsuit over vacation deaths

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky doctor has reached a $5 million settlement with the federal government over the deaths of her husband and 8-year-old daughter, who died after flooding washed them over a 184-foot waterfall at a national park in Hawaii.

Dr. Holly Brown of Louisville and her 17-year-old son, Clayton, sued in 2004. They claimed there should have been warning signs about possible flooding in Haleakala National Park near Maui, Hawaii.

Kevin and Elizabeth Brown died while the family was vacationing in Hawaii in 2003. The two were hiking when they were overcome by a torrent of water.

The government does not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement announced Friday. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brady Miller says prosecutors had no objection to the deal.