Family sues bus owner over FAMU hazing death

ORLANDO, Fla. — The parents of a Florida A&M drum major who died after being hazed last year are suing the owner and driver of the charter bus where the ritual took place.

The wrongful death lawsuit seeks an undisclosed amount of money. It describes in detail the beating and suffocation rituals that may have led to 26-year-old Robert Champion's death in November.

Champion suffered blunt trauma blows to his body and he died from shock caused by severe bleeding. Detectives are investigating the death as a homicide.

The lawsuit says bus company managers knew that FAMU band members held hazing rituals regularly on buses after football games but did nothing to stop them.

Ray Land, the owner of Fabulous Coach Lines, said in an email he needed time to prepare a statement.