$2M settlement in Wenatchee HS drowning death

The Wenatchee School District has reached a $2 million settlement with the family of a student who drowned during swim class.

Antonio Reyes, 14, drowned in the Wenatchee High School pool during his physical education class on Nov. 17, 2011.

Reyes, who did not know how to swim, jumped into the deep end of the pool after being told he could not stand on the edge. Classmates discovered his body roughly 40 minutes later.

The family filed a negligence lawsuit, arguing that there was not a dedicated lifeguard on duty and that Reyes was not tested to determine his swimming capabilities.

As part of the settlement, the school has issued a formal apology to the family and agreed to implement increased safety protocols.

“The Reyes family wanted to ensure that it never happened to anyone else’s child,” said Sim Osborn, the family’s attorney. “Now that it is over, they hope the Wenatchee community can come together and heal as a whole.”