Weeks have passed since T.J. Quinn’s interview with FAMU drum major Keon Hollis aired on ESPN. But Christopher Chestnut, the attorney for deceased drum major Robert Champion’s parents, has yet to respond to the disputed facts concerning the actions of the bus driver on the night Champion died.Hollis said he Champion both voluntarily submitted to the “Crossing Bus C” ritual on Nov. 19 following the Marching 100’s performance in the Florida Classic.
Quinn reported that the Bus C initiations “would take place when the buses were parked and there were no bus drivers or band staff around.”
Hollis said that only students were around when he and Champion went through the Bus C ritual.
“Were there any adults around?” Quinn asked Hollis.
“No,” Hollis answered.
“Any idea where the driver was?” Quinn asked.
“No,” Hollis said.
The lawsuit Chestnut filed on behalf of Champion’s parents claims Fabulous Coach Lines driver Wendy Millette stood guard outside the bus on which their son was being hazed.
“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.”
Hollis did not mention anything about Millette "standing guard" outside or monitoring “ingress and egress to Bus C.”
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.
Land told CNN he thinks the lawsuit is targeting the money in the high insurance limit that his company holds.