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 Laredo News
The tragic death of Savanna Jones during a hazing ritual at an Ohio university serves as a stark warning to local schools in Laredo to reexamine their own policies and procedures regarding student organizations and campus safety. While the incident occurred outside of Texas, its implications are felt locally, particularly in the context of Webb County's own university and college campuses. The fact that resident assistants and other university staff were allegedly present and failed to intervene raises questions about the adequacy of training and supervision provided to those responsible for ensuring student safety. As Laredo's own students return to campus, it is crucial for local educators and administrators to take a proactive approach to preventing similar incidents, including educating students about the dangers of hazing and the importance of seeking medical attention in emergency situations. Local families deserve to know that their children are safe on campus.
About this story
Original reporting by KGNS — Sitewide . Laredo News 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 Laredo News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gerald Harris, Dorothy Sedovic at KGNS — Sitewide. To learn more about how Laredo News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from Laredo News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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