Riley Strain's family files wrongful death lawsuit against fraternity after drowning
March 24 (UPI) -- The family of University of Missouri student Riley Strain has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against his fraternity after he drowned during a trip last year to Nashville.
The lawsuit, which was filed Friday in Boone County and seeks unspecified damages, accuses Delta Chi, the property owner of the fraternity house, two members of the Board of Chapter Advisers and 30 members of the fraternity of negligence in Strain's death.
Strain's body was found in the Cumberland River on March 22, 2024, two weeks after he was kicked-out of Luke's 32 Bridge bar, where he had been drinking with his Delta Chi fraternity brothers, who were in Nashville to attend a formal.
According to the complaint, the annual spring formal involved "prolific consumption of alcohol" with much of it above 15% alcohol by volume, which is banned at Delta Chi fraternity events.
Medical examiners said Strain, 22, died "as a result of drowning and ethanol intoxication." His blood alcohol level was three times the legal driving limit in Tennessee. The report said cannabis compound Delta-9 THC was also found in his system.
"Rather than having the support of his brothers, Riley was abandoned and alone," the lawsuit states, "instilling a code into its fraternity members that encouraged or taught fraternity 'brothers' to abandon one another instead of helping one another."
"The fraternity brothers did not even think to call Riley's parents, they simply got ready for bed and went to sleep," the suit claims, adding that there was no call made to 911 until police were notified the following day that Strain was missing.
While reports show Strain was not over-served alcohol at any bars in Nashville, the lawsuit claims Delta Chi members planned a formal that was fueled by alcohol. The lawsuit also alleges that the fraternity pressured Strain to attend the formal and encouraged him to consume alcohol throughout the day.
After Strain appeared intoxicated and was kicked out of the bar, the lawsuit alleges his fraternity brothers did not stay with him or help him get back to the hotel. Surveillance video from that night shows Strain stumbling outside as he wandered around Nashville.
"The investigation found that he had become separated from his friends and was noticeably impaired as he walked onto Gay Street adjacent to the Cumberland River," the Nashville Police Department said in a statement during last year's investigation.
The lawsuit alleges the fraternity members were negligent, careless or reckless. It claims Delta Chi's Board of Chapter Advisers were negligent by failing to provide supervision and transportation at the formal.
While Delta Chi has not commented on the lawsuit, the fraternity did release a statement last year, saying it was "deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our esteemed fraternity brother."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Economic crisis, Evo Morales threaten Bolivia's election
ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay, June 9 (UPI) -- Bolivia's Supreme Electoral Tribunal has approved 10 presidential tickets for the Aug. 17 election, confirming that former President Evo Morales will not be allowed to run. The announcement comes amid heightened political, economic and social tensions, including a supply crisis and protests organized by Morales' supporters, who are demanding his reinstatement as a candidate. The tribunal said Morales does not meet the constitutional requirements to seek office again, and that the party with which he attempted to register -- the Partido de Acción Nacional Boliviano, or Pan-Bol -- has been legally disqualified. President Luis Arce's government also filed a criminal complaint against Morales on Thursday, accusing him of eight criminal offenses, including terrorism, incitement to commit crimes, attacks on public infrastructure and obstructing the electoral process. The charges are based on an audio recording shared by a rural union leader that allegedly captures Morales urging supporters to step up protests and block major cities, including La Paz. Morales has denied the recording's authenticity, calling it a fabrication, and says the demonstrations reflect public discontent over the economic crisis and his disqualification from the presidential race. Morales' supporters have erected roadblocks and continue to demand his inclusion in the race under the slogan, "No elections without Evo." Morales has reiterated his intention to return to office, saying, "Only the people can ask me to withdraw my candidacy." The protests have mainly affected Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, causing significant economic losses and worsening nationwide shortages of fuel and food. The Arce government says the demonstrations are aimed at destabilizing the administration and has threatened to deploy the military in response. "Evo Morales lies when he says he acts for the well-being of Bolivian families. He lies when he says his protest is about inflation, the economy or basic necessities. He lies when he claims to be 'obeying the people,' and Bolivians know it," Arce wrote on X. He added that Morales and his allies "are pursuing my resignation and that of the entire government, solely to force his own candidacy." Among the tribunal-approved candidates are former Minister of Government Eduardo del Castillo, backed by Arce, and Senate President Andrónico Rodríguez. Rodríguez has emerged as a prominent figure in Bolivian politics. Long considered the "natural heir" to Morales, he has positioned himself as a moderate and unifying candidate, distancing himself from Morales and Arce. The opposition has attempted to form coalitions to challenge the ruling party, but ideological and personal differences have hampered efforts to unify. As a result, several opposition candidates are running separately, including former President Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga and businessman and former minister Samuel Doria Medina. The International Monetary Fund recently issued a critical report on Bolivia's economy, warning that current policies are unsustainable. The IMF projects inflation will reach 15.8% in 2025 -- more than twice the government's estimate -- and forecasts just 1.1% economic growth, the lowest in Latin America. It also warns that public debt has climbed to 95% of GDP, and that international reserves are critically low, contributing to shortages of foreign currency and fuel. Fuel shortages worsened in 2024, triggering long lines at gas stations and major disruptions in transportation and agriculture. The crisis stems largely from a drop in domestic hydrocarbon production and a shortage of foreign currency needed for imports. Truckers and other sectors have launched protests demanding urgent action from the government.
UPI
40 minutes ago
- UPI
Thunberg, activists in Israeli custody after delivery attempt to Gaza
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg is pictured purportedly receiving food and water from a member of the the Israeli Defense Forces Monday after the boat she was aboard was intercepted attempting to reach Gaza. Photo via Israel Foreign Ministry/UPI | License Photo June 9 (UPI) -- The Israeli government announced Monday that the boat crew of civilians that included Swedish activist Greta Thunberg it intercepted attempting to transport humanitarian supplies to Gaza will be returned to their home countries upon arrival in Israel. The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or MFA, reported across its social media platform that the vessel, identified as the "Madleen" by the nonprofit Freedom Flotilla Coalition organization, or FFC, that launched it, is being brought to an Israel port. The MFA refers to the craft as a "selfie yacht," and has confirmed that Thunberg is aboard, in addition to other "celebrities," but did not name them. The FFC listed all their names last week after the announcement that the boat was already on its way "with life-saving aid, to break Israel's illegal siege of Gaza and establish a people's sea corridor." The MFA also stated that the passengers aboard the Madleen have been supplied with sandwiches and water, and that the "tiny amount of aid that wasn't consumed by the 'celebrities' will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels." It also posted a photo of Thunberg Monday, apparently about to receive food and bottled water from someone dressed in military apparel. "Greta Thunberg is currently on her way to Israel, safe and in good spirits," the image was captioned. Another person who was aboard the Madleen European Parliament member Rima Hassan of France, who posted to X late Monday morning that "the crew of the Freedom Flotilla has been unlawfully detained by Israel for more than 14 hours" since Israel commandeered the vessel. Thunberg had released a video via her social media pages late Sunday that alleged "If you see this video, it means we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces or forces that support Israel." German citizen Yasemin Acar, also aboard the Madleen, posted a video of herself Sunday night to Instagram in an unspecified situation, but was wearing a life jacket and apparently had at least one arm raised behind her head as sirens wailed in the background and an amplified voice that seemingly said "Don't be afraid" and "Stay where you are" in English could also be heard." The FFC posted a separate message to Instagram Sunday which purported that "drones dropped unidentified chemicals on the Madleen. Immediately after, our peaceful volunteers were rammed and intercepted before Israeli forces boarded the vessel. We lost all contact with them seconds later." An updated post from the FFC Monday called out what it has described as an "illegal attack" by Israel on the Madleen. It has been widely reported that the Madleen has been brought to Israel's Port of Ashdod, and that Sweden's foreign ministry has confirmed it is in touch with Israel over Thunberg, and will stand by should the need for consular assistance be required.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Huge alligator 'cited for suspicion of being a dinosaur' in N.C.
June 9 (UPI) -- A North Carolina sheriff's office assisted with the capture of a nearly 400-pound alligator and joked the reptile was "cited for suspicion of being a dinosaur without proper papers." The Onslow County Sheriff's Office said on social media that deputies responded alongside North Carolina Wildlife Resources personnel when the "prehistoric perp" was "caught loitering near the double yellow line on Old 30 Road." The gator, dubbed Pepe by the sheriff's office, was estimated to weigh between 350 and 400 pounds. The nearly 10-foot reptile "has been cited for Suspicion of Being a Dinosaur Without Proper Papers, Public Loitering with Intent to Sunbathe and Obstructing Traffic," the sheriff's office joked. Officials wrote the alligator was "safely relocated" with no injuries to humans or reptiles. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Onslow County Sheriff's Office (@
