Phusion Projects, makers of Four Loko, facing lawsuit after death of Florida State student

Phusion Projects, the maker of Four Loko, is the target of a lawsuit involving a 20-year-old in Florida. Joe and Vicki Keiran believe that drinking Four Loko led to their son Jason’s death.

Four Loko is responsible, parents claim

The Keirans have said that their son drank at least three cans of the alcoholic energy drink Four Loko and became so manic and erratic that he accidentally shot himself.

Don Van Dingenen, the Keirans’ attorney, stated that Jason was partying with friends on Sept. 17 when the accident occurred. He said Jason had been partying for about 30 hours straight when he picked up the gun. Friends of Jason said he started acting crazy, according to Van Dingenen.

"They say he started to act crazy. He pointed the gun at his head and everyone else. He said I realize I'm freaking you guys out take the gun away from me," Van Dingenen said, ABC News reported.

The medical examiner’s office has not yet ruled on whether the death was an accident or a suicide, but friends witnessing the event have said that it was an accident, and he Kierans have stated that their son would not have committed suicide, according to the ABC report, and that they hope their lawsuit will be a preventative for others.

Phusion Projects recently decided to remove the caffeine from their alcoholic energy drink Four Loko, under growing pressure from states and college campuses across the nation. And, the FDA has recently concluded that the mixing of alcohol and caffeine in these energy drinks is unsafe, and sent letters to four makers of the drinks, which could result in the seizing of products if the companies do not take action themselves.

Each 23.5 ounce can of Four Loko has approximately 2.82 ounces of alcohol and about 156 milligrams of caffeine, and is the alcohol equivalent of approximately 18 light beers and 6 cups of coffee, ABC News reported.

Read more about Four Loko and Phusion Projects on Huliq.com:
Four Loko creators removing caffeine, but defend drink's safety
Senator: Four Loko, all alcoholic energy drinks, to be banned by FDA
FDA Issues Warning On Alcoholic Energy Drinks

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