A high schooler in Arizona who attended a Senior Ditch Day party and was hospitalized after getting drunk during the festivities is now suing the family behind the bash.
Last month, Desert Vista High School senior Blake Barnes sued the parents of one of his classmates after he reportedly got so drunk at a party at their home that he needed medical attention.
The lawsuit claims that the parents — Brandon and Megan Spencer — were aware their son was having a “Senior Ditch Day party” at the home and further claims that Brandon Spencer admitted he knew about the party. The lawsuit did not include evidence for those claims.
Brandon Spencer told the Phoenix New Times that the lawsuit includes “a lot of false information.”
The party reportedly occurred on April 13. Barnes claims in the lawsuit that he received an invitation to the party on Snapchat that included instructions to “byo alc” – bring your own alcohol.
Barnes — who is now 18 — and approximately 60 other students attended the party, according to the filing. It claims that alcohol was “provided … by the owners and occupants,” which seems to conflict with the “bring your own alcohol” instructions.
The lawsuit claims Barnes drank so much that he “was injured at the Property and was taken by ambulance to the hospital where his blood alcohol level was tested and determined to be .114.” That’s approximately 1.5 times the legal limit for driving under the influence.
The filing doesn’t specify if the injury he suffered was a direct result of the alcohol — such as alcohol poisoning — or if he was hurt while he was drunk.
Three days after filing the lawsuit and a month after the incident, Barnes walked for his diploma during his graduation, the Phoenix New Times reports.
Barnes claims in the lawsuit that the parents “did not monitor or control the consumption of alcohol at the party,” and did not intervene to stop the “reckless activities of the minors” which included “jumping off the house roof into the swimming pool.”
The filing accuses the Spencers of negligence, premises liability, and negligent supervision during a social gathering. The family has reportedly been informed “of their obligation to preserve all evidence relating to this incident,” according to the lawsuit.
Barnes claims the parents failed to “exercise reasonable care for his safety as a social guest.”
The Spencers told NBC12 News that they were seeking counsel and would be communicating through their attorney in the future. It is not immediately clear which law firm is representing the family.
Barnes is asking for damages for medical expenses, for “past and future pain, suffering, and emotional distress,” and “for loss of enjoyment of life.”
