by Lisa Hinton-Valdrighi
RICHMOND—The family of Graham McCormick, whose body was found on Carter Creek last summer, has reached a $4 million settlement in a lawsuit against John Randolph “Rand” Hooper of Richmond and his parents.
Judge Joi Taylor accepted the settlement Monday in a Richmond court.
McCormick’s parents, J. Burke McCormick and Sallie T. Graham, filed a $10.35 million lawsuit in Richmond Circuit Court in November, naming Hooper, 31, of Richmond as the first defendant for his part in the accident and fleeing the scene. Additionally, the civil suit named Hooper’s parents, Gary L. and Lucy W. Hooper of Irvington, as defendants for their part in allegedly helping their son cover up the crash.
According to the McCormicks’ attorney, Matthew W. Broughton of Gentry Locke in Roanoke, three insurance companies are paying the settlement on behalf of Hooper. McCormick’s estate is releasing Hooper and his parents of any liability relating to his death…
