Family of Crash Victims Awarded $5.6 Million

A federal judge has awarded $5.6 million in damages to the family of a Cerritos man and his two teen-aged children who were killed when an Aeromexico jetliner crashed into their home on Aug. 31, 1986.

The award, made Wednesday by U.S. District Judge David V. Kenyon, was the first involving victims who were killed on the ground in Los Angeles County’s worst air disaster.

“It’s a fair and just compensation,” said attorney Joseph T. Cook, who represented the family of the victims, Frank Estrada Sr., 43; his son, Javier, 16, and his daughter, Angelicia, 14.

Although the family, which includes Estrada’s widow, Theresa, and two surviving children, were awarded $5.6 million, they ultimately will receive $2.8 million to $3 million after money they already have received in a partial settlement is deducted and other adjustments are made. Government attorneys have not yet indicated whether they will appeal.