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BANGKOK, Thailand — The billionaire family of a Red Bull energy drink heir accused of killing a police officer in a hit-and-run accident paid the officer’s siblings about $100,000 in a deal aimed at avoiding a civil lawsuit, police said Wednesday.

Vorayuth Yoovidhya, 27, is charged with driving a Ferrari that struck the officer and dragged his body down a Bangkok street earlier this month.

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The Yoovidhya family paid the officer’s siblings 3-million baht ($97,000) last week, police Lt. Col. Viradon Thubthimdee said. He said the settlement will protect Vorayuth from a civil lawsuit.

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“We sometimes call this a ’funeral fee.’ If the victim’s party is satisfied with the amount of money, then they will not seek compensation through a court,” Viradon said.

The payment, however, does not protect Vorayuth from criminal charges of causing death by reckless driving and fleeing to avoid arrest. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in jail and a fine of 20,000 baht ($666).