Settlement Reached in Woman’s Death at Spokane Parking Garage

The family of a Washington woman who died when her car plunged from the fifth floor of a parking garage has reached a settlement with the garage’s insurance company, a newspaper reported.

Robert Rembert, the attorney who represents the family of Pullman resident Jo Ellen Savage, confirmed the settlement Tuesday, but declined to provide details, The Spokesman-Review reported.

Jennifer West, a spokeswoman for the River Park Square mall, where the garage is, said the settlement was made between the Savage family and Safeco Insurance, which insures the garage.

“It really was a very quiet and direct agreement between those two parties that did not involve anyone else,” West said.

Savages family never filed a lawsuit on the matter.

Savage died April 8 after her car fell from the fifth floor of the structure onto the entry ramp below. Witnesses have told police she was driving slowly.

River Park Square officials announced last month that they will strengthen the mall’s parking garage by attaching steel rods and plates to outside-facing walls.

“The owners’ public dedication to making improvements in the garage was a significant factor in achieving some sort of resolution,” Rembert said.

River Park Square is owned by the Cowles Co., which also owns The Spokesman-Review newspaper.