Iowa will pay $3.5 million to family of student who drowned in rowing accident

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa is agreeing to pay $3.5 million in a settlement with the family of an Iowa State University student who drowned after a school crew club boat capsized in cold, rough waters. The State Appeal Board’s decision Tuesday approves the terms of the agreement between Iowa State and the parents of Yaakov Ben-David more than three years after the 20-year-old sophomore’s death. Records show the family of the second student who drowned agreed to a $2 million settlement in August 2021. The wrongful death lawsuit filed by Ben-David’s parents alleged that Iowa State was negligent with the crew club.