A recent wrongful death lawsuit has emerged, alleging that 19-year-old Marine hopeful Noah Presgrove was beaten to death during an underage drinking party in Oklahoma. The incident, which occurred in 2023, was linked to a multi-day Labor Day celebration that preceded the discovery of Presgrove’s body on a highway. The lawsuit, filed on June 23, seeks damages against individuals and entities allegedly involved in the party and the supply of alcohol to minors.
Presgrove was found on the side of U.S. Highway 81 in Terral on September 4, 2023, with teeth, a necklace, and basketball shorts near his body. Initial authorities speculated that he may have been struck by a vehicle after the party, but the lawsuit argues that his death was not caused by a car accident. Instead, it alleges that the 19-year-old’s death ‘was not caused by being hit with a motor vehicle.’ The claim asserts that Presgrove was ‘beat to death by one or more of the defendants,’ though the complaint does not include factual evidence demonstrating the act of beating, instead suggesting a civil conspiracy among the defendants.
The lawsuit accuses the defendants of duty of care violations, civil conspiracy, negligence, and recklessness in connection with Presgrove’s death. The defendants include Avery Howard, Carter Combs, Logan Jernigan, and Johnnie Trout Wilcoxson Jr., who owned the property where the party was hosted. Additionally, the complaint names Stevie Howard, who owned the trailer used for the party, and Jack Newton, who allegedly purchased alcohol for Presgrove despite being under 21.
Presgrove’s blood alcohol level was found to be about twice the legal limit at the time of his death. According to the medical examiner’s report, Presgrove had been drinking at a house party on September 3, 2023, where he was involved in a rollover incident while riding an ATV permitted by Newton. The highway was poorly lit at night, and no vehicle parts or debris were observed at the scene. Presgrove was last seen in a verbal argument with Howard and Newton around 3:41 a.m. on September 4, the lawsuit states.
Despite the medical examiner ruling Presgrove’s cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head, torso, and extremities, the lawsuit insists that the beating was an outcome of a civil conspiracy among the defendants. While some defendants do not have legal representation and have not responded to the lawsuit, others, such as Johnnie Trout Wilcoxson Jr. and Stevie Howard, are represented by an Oklahoma attorney, Andrew Benedict, who has not yet responded to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.
The case has sparked questions about the circumstances surrounding Presgrove’s death, with his family expressing that they cannot imagine he was murdered. However, the lawsuit continues to press for accountability, highlighting the potential civil liabilities of the individuals and entities involved in the events that led to his death.