City to pay $2.75 million in beach death lawsuit

The family of a sunbather who was run over and killed by a police beach patrol vehicle has settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the city for $2.75 million.

Cindy Conolly was run over and killed by a police Chevrolet Tahoe on June 12, 2006, while relaxing on Mandalay Beach. She had attended her son’s ocean-side wedding a day earlier at Embassy Suites Mandalay resort.

The officers were unaware they had run over the woman and resumed their regular street patrol until a witness called 911 and they were called back to the scene about 20 minutes later.

The 49-year-old Iowa woman’s family filed a $10-million lawsuit against the city, alleging negligence for not having a beach-driving policy and failing to train officers how to drive on beaches. The settlement was reached Tuesday.