Former Charger Foley agrees to settle shooting suit

SAN DIEGO -- Former Chargers linebacker Steve Foley agreed Wednesday to settle his lawsuit against a police officer who shot him while off-duty two years ago and ended his pro football career.

Foley's attorney, Harvey Levine, said the settlement was reached with Officer Aaron Mansker and his employer, the city of Coronado, before testimony resumed in a week-old civil trial in San Diego Superior Court.

The financial terms weren't disclosed under a confidentiality agreement, Levine said.

"I think both sides are pleased with this resolution," Levine said.

Coronado City Attorney Steve Boehmer, who represented Mansker and the city, said a hearing would be held Monday to determine whether the settlement terms would remain confidential.

Foley's suit sought millions of dollars in damages as compensation for lost past and future earnings.

Foley, 32, was shot in his leg, hip and hand in September 2006 after Mansker tailed his car home from downtown San Diego to suburban Poway, 15 miles north, on suspicion the driver was drunk.

Mansker, then a 23-year-old rookie officer, was driving his personal car and wearing a T-shirt and jeans when he twice pulled up next to Foley and ordered the player to pull over. Foley ignored the orders and drove home because Mansker didn't identify himself as a police officer, Levine said during the trial.

The two men confronted one another in Foley's cul-de-sac. Mansker testified last week that he fired when he saw Foley reach for his waistband, thinking the player had a gun.

Foley pleaded guilty in 2007 to misdemeanor drunken driving.

He was released two years early from his contract with the Chargers in March 2007 and has moved to Houston, where he is caring for his 11-year-old daughter and plans to complete his college degree, Levine said.

Mansker was cleared of criminal liability after the San Diego County district attorney's office found he shot in self-defense. Mansker was honored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving at a luncheon in March for making 57 drunken driving arrests in 2007.