OKC settles 2nd claim in Bricktown Canal accident

The Oklahoma City Council has settled a claim filed on behalf of the estate of Wesley W. Seeley, who died after an accident on the Bricktown Canal.

Seeley, 23, fell into the water and suffered a fatal electrical shock when he touched wires from a broken light fixture along the canal.

The city council voted Tuesday for a $175,000 settlement.

The formal term is a "confession of judgment without admission of liability." The claim alleged the city was negligent.

A claim by a would-be rescuer and that man's wife was settled earlier.

Seeley died at a hospital Sept. 30.

In a lawsuit filed on behalf of Seeley's mother, attorney Lane Neal says "a light bollard gave way and caused him to fall into the canal."

The light fixtures are commonplace along the popular canal.

A report on options for replacing them recommended incorporating safety features missing from the 20-year-old system.

The report by FSB architects lists several options: a new system with a combination of light bollards, similar to those currently in use; lights

mounted on poles; and lights mounted, where possible, on structures.

Mounting lights on structures, such as retaining walls or buildings, is the safest, it says. Cost of preferred options range from $126,000 to $259,000.

No date has been given by the city to begin the work.

Seeley's mother sued the city in a bid to block disclosure of video of the accident.

A Brickopolis entertainment complex surveillance camera captured the scene.

A hearing in that case is set Friday in Oklahoma