Pierce County has agreed to pay $1.65 million to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit brought by the family of a Fircrest man who was hit by a sheriff's patrol car.

The lawsuit contended the deputy was negligent and reckless in September 2011 when he struck 61-year-old Dale Neel as he was riding a moped home from his job as a bank teller.

The deputy was responding to a call, and the car's lights and siren were activated.

Sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer told The News Tribune ( http://is.gd/zVJOoi) the collision was a tragic accident.

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Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com