A troubling lawsuit against Royal Caribbean paints a grim picture of the events leading to the death of Michael Virgil, a 35-year-old father. The allegations claim that he was over-served at the ship’s bar, receiving a staggering 33 drinks before his tragic demise. According to the suit, Virgil became increasingly belligerent after consuming these drinks, ultimately losing his bearings and threatening crew members.
The situation escalated when security personnel intervened, leading to a physical confrontation. Virgil was reportedly tackled by crew members, who then resorted to using the sedative Haloperidol and pepper spray to subdue him. The lawsuit describes a heartbreaking sequence of events that ultimately resulted in Virgil’s death due to “significant hypoxia and impaired ventilation,” categorized as homicide.
Aggravating the tragedy is the claim that after Virgil was subdued, his family faced further distress. His fiancée, Connie Aguilar, alleges that the cruise line refused to return to port, instead “putting Michael in a refrigerator” while continuing their journey. This adds an additional layer of indignity to an already painful scenario, highlighting the alleged callousness of the cruise ship staff amidst a family’s crisis.
An autopsy revealed Virgil had a blood alcohol level between 0.182 and 0.186 percent, more than double the legal limit for driving. Though officials noted that this level alone was potentially survivable, the circumstances of his restraint were clearly fatal. Video footage shows him attempting to break down a door, acting out in desperation as security eventually moved in.
The aftermath of this incident has raised many questions regarding the responsibilities of cruise lines when it comes to serving alcohol and treating passengers in distress. This tragic case serves as a reminder of the potential hazards on cruise ships and the importance of ensuring passenger safety amidst the revelry of vacationing. Virgil’s story is not just about his untimely death but also about the accountability of the institutions that are meant to provide care and security during leisure time on the high seas.
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