It’s now been over a year since University of Missouri student Riley Strain was found dead in the Cumberland River after disappearing from Broadway during a fraternity trip to Nashville.
The 22-year old was last seen after being asked to leave Luke Bryan’s lower Broadway bar, Luke’s 32 Bridge, and then for some reason walked in the opposite direction of his hotel.
Authorities said at the time there was no sign of foul play, and Luke’s bar released a statement during the search clarifying that he was served only one alcoholic drink and two waters at their bar before being asked to leave. Investigators with the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission determined that Strain was not visibly intoxicated or overserved at Luke’s, but security at the bar said that the student was “verbally aggressive with staff” and was not allowed to re-enter.
After being kicked out of the bar, Strain’s friends continued partying and said they would meet him back at their hotel that night – but he never made it back, and wasn’t in the room when his fraternity brothers returned at 1:00 AM.
When he hadn’t returned the next day, the friends finally called police to report him missing, setting off a furious search for the student that would end two weeks later when his body was discovered in the river.
The death was ruled an accident, and Nashville Metro Police have since closed their investigation.
According to the toxicology report conducted as part of the autopsy by the Davidson County Medical Examiner, Strain had a blood alcohol content of .228 at the time of his death, nearly 3 times the legal limit to drive of .08. And he was also found to have Delta-9 THC in his system, which is a hemp-derived version of THC that’s legal and widely available in Tennessee.
The report noted that there were no signs of Rohypnol, or roofies, in his system at the time of his death.
But Strain’s family believes that the fraternity, as well as his fellow students, should have done more to protect him, and have filed a lawsuit against Delta Chi fraternity, as well as several of its officers and members.
According to The Tennessean, the family claims that Strain didn’t want to attend the fraternity formal, but was pressured by his fellow members. And the lawsuit claims that fraternity members violated their own policies by serving Strain alcohol that was more than 15% ABV, which fraternity policy prohibits at chapter facilities and events. The group reportedly consumed beer, vodka and Jello shots on the bus on their way to Nashville:
“Although it was supposed to be prohibited, this type of conduct was typical for the Delta Chi formal. It would have disastrous results for Riley.”
Fraternity brothers allegedly noticed that Strain was struggling, having difficulty speaking and interacting with others and leaning on walls to stay upright. But instead of helping him get home safe, the lawsuit blames the fraternity brothers for continuing to party for at least 3 hours after he was kicked out of the bar.
The lawsuit claims the fraternity violated their duty to prevent conduct and actions that result in harm to Strain, failed to enforce their own written policies, failed to properly train leadership and failed to adequately take precautions to keep members safe while on the trip.
Strain’s family is asking for damages related to Strain’s death, including pain and sufferin, as well as payment for funeral and medical expenses.
The post Parents Of Riley Strain File Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Fraternity Over Missouri Student’s Death In Nashville first appeared on Whiskey Riff.