In a dramatic turn of events just before opening arguments were set to launch in federal court, Boeing has quietly settled two high-profile wrongful death lawsuits tied to the catastrophic crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, involving its controversial 737 Max aircraft.
The aerospace giant reached confidential agreements with the families of Antoine Lewis, a U.S. Army captain, and Darcy Belanger, a Canadian environmental advocate, both victims aboard the ill-fated flight. The settlements emerged mere hours before a scheduled damages trial in Chicago federal court was poised to commence Monday, marking what would have been the first jury trial in this sprawling litigation.
Two Lives, Two Legacies — Cut Short by Catastrophe
Antoine Lewis had been on military leave, seizing a rare opportunity to travel across Africa. He leaves behind his wife, fellow soldier Yalena Lopez-Lewis, and their two young sons. Darcy Belanger was en route to speak at a United Nations Environment Assembly when the tragedy unfolded. His legacy endures through his wife, Amie, and his parents.
“These resolutions don’t bring our heroes back,” said Robert Clifford, lead counsel in the multidistrict Ethiopian Airlines litigation, “but they represent the first step toward closure for families who’ve carried grief like armor for far too long.” Clifford emphasized that the legal campaign continues, with more trials lined up — the next starting July 14, and another set for November 3.
