WILBERFORCE — The Greene County Coroner has ruled on the cause and manner of death of a Wilberforce University student whose family claims died because of an alcohol hazing ritual on campus.
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In a report obtained on Monday, Greene County Coroner Kevin L. Sharrett determined that 18-year-old Savanna Jones died of acute ventricular dysrhythmia and acute alcohol intoxication.
Her manner of death is listed as undetermined.
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As News Center 7 previously reported, Jones died inside a dorm on campus in April.
Jones’ family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the university, its housing director, a student, and 30 Jane and John Does in June. In it, the family’s lawyer said the 18-year-old died because she was hazed on campus.
The court document states Jones was going through initiation with “a social drinking club” known as “the turtles” on a campus where alcohol is not allowed.
Jones was required to drink a bottle of liquor that night as a part of a ritual called “crossing turtles,” the lawsuit states.
It alleges that “she became visibly and dangerously intoxicated to the point that she could not stand.”
Her family’s lawyer writes she was carried back to her dorm room across campus, where she was left and where she died hours later.
Rex Elliot, the Columbus-based lawyer representing Jones’ family, previoulsy told News Center 7 that this all happened in Henderson Hall.
Elliot released the following statement to News Center 7 on Monday after Jones’ cause of death was confirmed:
“As we expected, Savanna Jones’ death was caused by acute alcohol intoxication brought on through a senseless and illegal hazing ritual. The autopsy proves Savanna’s young life did not need to end this way. Along with Savanna’s family, we are committed to doing everything we possibly can to end hazing once and for all in this country.“
Online court documents show that a deposition in the case is scheduled to begin on Oct. 20.
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