A lawsuit filed by Robert and Pam Champion alleges that Fabulous Coach Lines driver Wendy Millette stood guard outside the bus on which their son was being hazed. They also claim that she “forced” him back onto vehicle when he came out the bus door to vomit.According to the lawsuit: “Defendant Millette was standing ‘guard’ at the door of the bus to monitor ingress and egress to Bus C. Defendant Millette, upon seeing the injured decedent, ignored the apparent health risks of (Champion) vomiting…Defendant Millette advised (Champion) that he would be alright as she forced him back on the bus.”
The Champions have not answered press questions about how Millette actually “forced” the victim back on board. Robert Champion weighed 235 pounds and was more than six feet tall. Nor are there any details about how or why Champion entered “Bus C” on November 19.
“Am I suggesting that this bus driver hit him? No,” said Champion family Attorney Christopher Chestnut. “Am I suggesting that she knowingly aided and abetted? She opened a bus, it was running, the air condition is on. If that’s not participation, then I don’t know. You availed a venue.”
The civil action asks for more than $15,000 in damages. It is a negligence and wrongful death lawsuit. Ray Land Productions, Fabulous Coach Lines, and Millette are all named as defendants.
The Champions claim that the bus company regularly assigned Millette to drive “Bus C” because she was "familiar with the hazing rituals and would allow it."
Further allegations in lawsuit state that Champion went through two hazing rituals on November 19. One is described as “Crossing Bus C” where “pledges run from the front door of the bus to the back, down the center aisle, while initiated members of the ‘Bus C posse’ launch punches, slaps, kicks. Should the ‘pledge’ fall to the bus floor... he is then dragged back to the front of the bus" to start over.”
The second ritual name by the lawsuit is the “Hot Seat” where “a pillow case or other object is placed over the victim's head, preventing oxygen flow to the nose and mouth. The victim is asked questions by the hazer. If the victim answers a question correctly the object is lifted to allow oxygen. During this time, the victim is punched, slapped, kicked or hit.”
In December, Fabulous Coach Lines owner Ray Land told the Associated Press that the bus driver was outside assisting the band members who were unloading instruments when Champion collapsed on the vehicle. He says she and the rest of the drivers did everything they could to help after they learned that the drum major was hurt.