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 Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· 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 Atlanta
The tragic death of Savanna Jones during a hazing ritual at an Ohio university serves as a stark reminder for Atlanta schools to reexamine their own policies and procedures regarding student organizations and campus safety. Although the incident occurred outside of Georgia, it highlights the potential risks associated with hazing and the importance of vigilant supervision in campus housing. In Atlanta, where many universities and colleges have dry-campus policies, it is crucial for administrators to ensure that these policies are enforced and that students are aware of the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. The fact that resident assistants and other university staff were allegedly present during the incident and failed to intervene raises questions about the adequacy of training and protocols in place to prevent such tragedies. As Atlanta schools review their own practices, they must consider the devastating consequences of hazing and the need for prompt medical attention in emergency situations.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta 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 .
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Category: schools ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
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 Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gerald Harris, Dorothy Sedovic at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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