'Affluenza' teen's parents settle lawsuit with some of victims' families

The family of a Texas teenager who killed four people last year while driving drunk has settled lawsuits with some of the victims’ families.

The parents of “affluenza” teen Ethan Couch agreed to pay undisclosed amounts to the families of Breanna Mitchell and Hollie Boyles and her daughter, Shelby.

The family of youth pastor Brian Jennings has not yet reached a settlement with the Couch family.

The 16-year-old avoided jail time in December by blaming his actions on his parents’ wealth.

A judge sentenced Couch to an alcohol treatment facility and 10 years on probation for his conviction on four counts of intoxication manslaughter and two counts of intoxication assault causing serious bodily injury.

Prosecutors said Couch’s blood-alcohol content was three times higher than the legal limit for adults June 15 when he plowed into four pedestrians who stopped to tend to a broken-down vehicle.

All four pedestrians were killed, and two of the teen’s friends riding in the pickup truck bed were ejected and seriously injured in the crash.

The family of one of those boys, Sergio Molina, has also sued Couch, claiming their son cannot move, is only “minimally conscious,” and requires round-the-clock care.

The case gained national attention after a psychologist testified on Couch’s behalf, claiming the teen suffered from “affluenza” due to his parents’ wealth and dysfunctional relationship and therefore never properly learned right from wrong.

Watch this video report posted online by KXAS-TV: