$90,000 Oakland Car Accident Settlement for Renowned Congolese Drummer's Death!
The city of Oakland has agreed to pay $40,000 as part of a personal injury settlement to the family of a renowned drummer and dancer in the city who was killed by a drunken driver nearly four years ago. Malonga Casquelourd died in June 2003 when a vehicle driven by Martin Burgermeyer and going the wrong way on Lakeshore Avenue slammed head-on into his car. At the time of the deadly accident, Burgermeyer’s blood alcohol content was three times the legal 0.08 percent limit in California. Casquelourd’s family claimed in their personal injury suit that a confusing street sign near the avenue contributed to the accident. An InsideBayArea.com story detailed that the city has since removed the sign.
Burgermeyer pleaded no contest to charges which included gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated before being sentenced to four years in prison in October 2004. Burgermeyer’s insurance company will pay the $50,000 limit of his policy to the Casquelourd family for its part of the combined $90,000 settlement.
Malonga Casquelourd was an internationally-known Congolese dancer who dedicated his life to promoting African Culture in the East Bay, according to the story. The Alice Arts Center was renamed in Casquelourd’s honor after his death. Learn more about the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts and the latest DUI news at The DUI Blog.