Last week, sparks flew between the attorneys representing FAMU’s former band director and the family of Robert Champion, a university drum major who died as the result of a possible hazing incident on November 19. Fabulous Coach Lines, the company that transported the Marching 100 on that day, is also entering the public wrangling in order to defend itself from a pending lawsuit.The Champion family has announced plans to sue Fabulous Coach Lines for “negligence and wrongful death.”
“The bus company has some liability. They knew or should have known that hazing was occurring on the bus,” said Christopher Chestnut, the attorney retained by Champion’s mother and father.
“We want to know what bus employee was assigned to this bus, how did the students get on, how did the bus get turned on, how was the air conditioner on, how were they able to stay on the bus long enough to beat Robert Champion to death,” Chestnut added.
The Medical Examiner of the Ninth Judicial District of Florida has confirmed that Champion died from injuries “sustained during a suspected hazing incident.” But investigators have yet to release a report on the details of the hazing.
In an interview with CNN Reporter George Howell, Fabulous Coach Lines President Ray Land defended his company’s actions on the day Champion lost his life.
“To own and operate a fleet of buses like this, Fabulous Coach Lines maintains a high insurance limit,” Howell reported. “And Ray Land believes that is the reason his business is being targeted. He believes the lawsuit is misguided.”
“I understand their mission is to end hazing. Suing my company is not going to end hazing. It's not going to do anything to affect hazing,” Land said.
In December, Land told the Associated Press that the bus driver was not operating the vehicle when Champion collapsed on the vehicle. She was outside assisting the band members who were unloading instruments. He says she and the rest of the drivers did everything they could to help after they learned that Champion was hurt.
Land created the Facebook group “We Support Dr. White & Marching 100” following the dismissal of former FAMU Director of Bands Julian E. White. Fabulous Coach Lines transported the Marching 100 to numerous performances during White’s time as head of the program.
Chestnut says he’s heard that hazing might have previously occurred on Fabulous Coach Lines vehicles that were serving the FAMU band. Land told CNN that he has “never seen this kind of behavior” by Marching 100 members in the past. His lawyers are currently reviewing documents they have received pertaining to the Champion incident.
