Family of Texas A&M Student Brianna Aguilera Files $1 Million Wrongful Death Lawsuit Over Alcohol Service
AUSTIN, Texas — The family of Brianna Aguilera, a 19-year-old Texas A&M student who died after falling from a high-rise apartment in late November, has filed a $1 million wrongful death lawsuit against two organizations accused of illegally serving alcohol to minors prior to her death. Attorney Tony Buzbee announced on Tuesday that the suit targets the Austin Blacks Rugby Club and the University of Texas Economics and Business Association, alleging that both groups overserved alcohol to minors at a football tailgate event.
According to the lawsuit filed in Travis County, it is illegal under Texas law to serve any amount of alcohol to minors, and the defendants acted recklessly by providing excessive amounts of alcohol to a group of underage individuals. The suit states that this “gross over-serving” impaired Aguilera and others to the point where they lost control of their faculties.
Aguilera’s death occurred in the early hours of November 29, following the Texas A&M versus University of Texas football tailgate. Police reports indicate that she fell from an Austin high-rise apartment around 1 a.m. The initial investigation concluded her death was a suicide, though her family disputes this finding and has called for further inquiry.
Witnesses at the tailgate described Aguilera’s condition as deteriorating over several hours, shifting from being upbeat to becoming disoriented and ultimately severely intoxicated, according to the court filing. The family’s suit underscores the alleged connection between the illegal alcohol service and Aguilera’s fatal fall.
Attorney Buzbee emphasized that the lawsuit aims not only to seek damages but also to support the ongoing investigation by enabling access to phone and text records, documents, and compelling witness testimony. The case is set for a jury trial.
Texas law strictly prohibits serving alcohol to minors, a regulation enforced by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The commission’s guidelines highlight the responsibilities of event organizers and alcohol servers to prevent underage drinking and overconsumption.
This incident has drawn attention to the risks associated with alcohol consumption at college events. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that excessive drinking among college students remains a significant public health concern, contributing to injuries, assaults, and fatalities.
The University of Texas and Texas A&M communities have expressed sorrow over Aguilera’s death. Meanwhile, the lawsuit raises questions about the oversight of alcohol service at university-related events and the accountability of organizations involved.
As the case proceeds through the courts, it will also test the enforcement of state alcohol laws and the responsibilities of student organizations in preventing underage drinking. For now, Aguilera’s family seeks justice and answers through the legal process.
More information about Texas laws on alcohol service can be found on the Texas Penal Code, Title 10, Chapter 106 and related statutes. Updates on the investigation and legal proceedings will be monitored closely by the community and authorities alike.
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