Family of Tre Jones files $10 million wrongful death suit

TUSCALOOSA — The family of the late Charles “Tre” Jones III has filed a wrongful death suit in the amount of $10 million.

Jones, who was a Demopolis High graduate and student at the University of Alabama during the time of his death, drowned in the Black Warrior River April 5, 2012 when he fell from the Bama Belle Riverboat during a sorority party.

According to the lawsuit, Charles Jones Jr., a city councilman in Demopolis, is seeking damages from the former owners of the riverboat, the sorority and the security company that staffed the party.

Birmingham attorney James Moncus III is handling the case and wrote in the lawsuit that Tre, who was only 20 when the incident occurred, was allowed to drink underage.

The suit goes on to state that Tre’ died of drowning and acute alcohol intoxication, noting that his blood-alcohol content was 0.133 according to the autopsy and toxicology report.

The lawsuit also states that those in charge of the event failed to stop the boat and alert authorities as soon as possible once Tre went overboard. Tre’s body was found in the river the following day.

The lawsuit was filed at 6:30 p.m. Friday, just a day before the statute of limitations for a wrongful death lawsuit would have run out in Alabama.