ST. CHARLES – The owner of the vehicle that killed Racheal Neldon and three other teenagers has reached a wrongful death settlement with two sets of parents whose children died in the 2023 accident.

Luther Harris, of Warrenton, owned the Chevrolet Impala that his daughter, Ashley Harris, 16, was driving on Highway 79 April 29 when it collided head-on with a Hyundai Elantra, driven by Neldon, 23.

Neldon, Harris and two passengers in the Impala died as a result of the accident.

According to court records, Luther Harris reached a settlement agreement with Tamara Vierdag, the mother of one of the passengers in the Impala, and Neldon’s parents, Thomas and Jennifer.

Vierdag’s attorneys filed the settlement petition June 24 and St. Charles County Associate Court Judge Erin Burlison is expected to rule on it during a Sept. 8 hearing at 9 a.m.

Neldons’ attorneys entered the settlement agreement with Burlison in the same St. Charles County court Aug. 15. A hearing on it has not been established.

Both petitions include reference to an undisclosed payment from Harris and the Ashley Harris estate.

“Plaintiffs and their attorneys have fully investigated the facts and circumstances of the occurrence…as well as the nature of the damages arising out of the death of Racheal G. Neldon and, having considered the issues of disputed liability and causation, as well as the expense, delays and uncertainties of trial, believe it is in their best interests…to accept the offer to compromise,” the petitions filed with the court state.

In both petitions, the defendants deny any wrongdoing.

“Defendants…continue to deny, Plaintiffs’ allegations of negligence against them, and … that they owed or breached any alleged duties to Racheal G. Neldon or that Defendants’ actions or inactions caused or contributed to cause (her) death,” the petitions state. “Notwithstanding their denials of liability, having taken into consideration the expenses, delays, and uncertainties of trial, Defendants have reached an agreement with Plaintiffs …subject to the approval of this Court.”

The Neldons filed a separate wrongful death lawsuit against the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department and several deputies Aug. 5, citing their failure to follow protocol as a contributing factor to the accident.

According to that lawsuit, deputies responded to a party that evening near Old Monroe that included Harris and several other juveniles.

Despite the presence of alcohol and marijuana, the deputies told the teens to go home, including telling them which direction to drive on the highway.

According to the lawsuit, Harris had alcohol, marijuana and cocaine in her system at the time of the accident.

The lawsuit also lists the owners of the home where the party occurred as defendants. No further hearings have been scheduled yet on that suit, which was filed in the Lincoln County Circuit Court.