Settlement ends civil lawsuit in death of Lexington police officer Bryan Durman
A settlement has ended a civil lawsuit filed last year in the hit-and-run death of a Lexington police officer.
The suit was filed by Brandy Durman, the widow of officer Bryan Durman, who died after being hit by an SUV while investigating a routine complaint on North Limestone on April 29, 2010.
The defendant was Glenn Doneghy, 35, the driver who was convicted on second-degree manslaughter in Durman's death.
Joe C. Savage, one of the attorneys who represented Brandy Durman in the civil suit, confirmed Friday that the case had been settled. Savage declined to provide details, saying the agreement was confidential.
Bryan Durman's death shocked Lexington residents because he was the first city police officer to die in the line of duty since 1985.
Brandy Durman said in her original lawsuit that she and her son, Brayden Durman, had lost the "love, affection and companionship" of a husband and father.
Lexington police arrested Doneghy at an apartment on Northland Drive after Durman was hit, having spotted a Chevrolet SUV there that matched a description of the vehicle that struck Durman.
Doneghy originally was charged with murder. Prosecutors argued that he struck Durman intentionally while Durman was standing by the open door of a vehicle parked on the street.
But a Fayette Circuit Court jury in June found him guilty of second-degree manslaughter instead after deliberating for about 18 hours over two days, and recommended a sentence of 30 years in prison.
Doneghy also was found guilty of leaving the scene of an accident, second-degree assault and possession of cocaine, all felonies; and possession of marijuana, fourth-degree assault and possession of drug paraphernalia, all misdemeanors.
Circuit Judge James Ishmael sentenced Doneghy to 20 years, saying he regretted that state law didn't allow him to follow the jury's recommendation.
This story was originally published December 17, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Settlement ends civil lawsuit in death of Lexington police officer Bryan Durman."