schools
18-year-old dies after being forced to drink entire bottle of liquor during hazing ritual, lawsuit says
By Gerald Harris, Dorothy Sedovic at KGNS — Sitewide
· June 24, 2026
· 2 min read
WILBERFORCE, Ohio (WTVG/Gray News) - The family of an 18-year-old filed a wrongful death lawsuit against an Ohio university, alleging she died during a hazing ritual.The family of Savanna Jones filed a lawsuit against Wilberforce University. Jones was a freshman living on the university’s campus ...
Key takeaway The family of Savanna Jones filed a lawsuit against Wilberforce University.
Why this matters in The Laredo
In Laredo , where many students attend local universities or consider out-of-state schools, the tragic death of Savanna Jones serves as a stark warning about the dangers of hazing rituals. The fact that Jones's death allegedly occurred in a dorm room, with resident assistants present, raises questions about the effectiveness of campus supervision and anti-hazing policies. As Laredo parents send their children off to college, they expect a safe and supportive environment, not a culture that tolerates or encourages reckless behavior. This incident may prompt local universities to re-examine their own policies and procedures for preventing hazing and ensuring student safety. It also underscores the need for ongoing education and awareness about the risks of excessive drinking and the importance of seeking medical attention immediately when someone's life is at risk. Laredo students and families should be aware of the resources available to them to prevent such tragedies.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . The Laredo surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KGNS — Sitewide . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KGNS — Sitewide ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? WILBERFORCE, Ohio (WTVG/Gray News) - The family of an 18-year-old filed a wrongful death lawsuit against an Ohio university, alleging she died during a hazing ritual.The family of Savanna Jones filed a lawsuit against Wilberforce University. Jones was a freshman living on the university’s campus ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KGNS — Sitewide and curated for The Laredo readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gerald Harris, Dorothy Sedovic at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how The Laredo selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Laredo, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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