Riverside Man Was Served 33 Drinks Before He Died On Cruise Ship: Report

RIVERSIDE, CA — The Royal Caribbean cruise line has been accused of negligence almost one year after a California passenger was served 33 drinks, pepper sprayed and restrained before he died, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing lawsuit documents.

Michael Virgil, 35, of Riverside, who was reportedly traveling with his fiancé and 7-year-old autistic son died had reportedly gone on a drunken rampage, chasing other passengers, assaulting a crew member and attempting to kick a door down.

Cell phone video shot by another passenger aboard the Florida cruise line aired on various TV news stations. The footage showed Virgil in a hallway leaning against a cabin door and repeatedly kicking it, while crew members try to calm him.

“What was supposed to be a beautiful family vacation came to an unimaginably tragic end due to the reprehensible way the situation — that should have never occurred — was handled,” said Kevin Haynes, who is representing the family in the lawsuit, in a statement to the Times.

The Riverside man boarded the ship on Dec. 13, 2024 from Los Angeles with his family, and were told to wait in a bar area since their cabin was not yet ready.

According to the Times, Virgil had purchased the cruise line's “Deluxe Beverage Package.” Before the violent confrontation, Virgil appeared drunk, but staff continued to serve him drinks, according to the suit.

Then, when Virgil was unable to find his family's room, he became frustrated, the Times reported. That's when ship staff and security engaged in a confrontation, eventually tackling to him to the ground.

According to a statement released by Haynes, staff "stood over his body with their full weight."

Read more from the Los Angeles Times: Cruise passenger was served 33 drinks, pepper sprayed and restrained before he died, lawsuit says

Footage of the incident was shot by passenger Christifer Mikhail, who told FOX11 Virgil chased him down a hallway shortly after the ship hit open water on the trip to Ensenada.

"The gentlemen that was drunk said he was going to kill us," Mikhail told FOX 11. "He started chasing us down the hallway."

The FBI was reportedly investigating the incident last year.

READ MORE: FBI Investigates Cruise Ship Death Of Man Involved In Rampage: Report