VENTURA : Ford Settles Suits in 2 Men’s Deaths

In a settlement in Ventura County Superior Court, Ford Motor Co. has agreed to pay $1.7 million to the families of two oil field workers who were killed four years ago when the brakes on their truck failed and sent them over a cliff just north of Ventura.

Ford agreed to pay $1 million to the family of Leonard Herman and $750,000 to the family of Edward Myers, both 29. Relatives sued the auto maker for negligence in the men’s deaths. The company also agreed to pay $25,000 to Rex Thomas, a co-worker who jumped to safety but sued, claiming psychological trauma, said Jonathan Zackey, an attorney for Herman’s family.

Herman and Myers were driving out of a Conoco oil field on San Miguel Road between Ventura and Carpinteria about 4 a.m. on Nov. 16, 1986, when the brakes apparently failed, said Jonathan Zackey, an attorney for Herman’s family.

The 10,000-pound, 1979 Ford LN 7000 flatbed truck gained speed down the winding road, ran through a barrier and plunged over a 350-foot cliff.

Ford attorney Ray Kolts declined to comment.