Jury awards $16 million to family in fatal radio prank - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 10-30-2009, 01:44 AM

Jury awards $16 million to family in fatal radio prank

A Sacramento jury today awarded $16 million to the family of a woman who died during a 2007 radio station contest gone awry.

The Sacramento County Superior Court jury concluded that Entercom Sacramento, which operates KDND-FM (107.9) "The End," was negligent after ignoring several warnings that a morning show contest could have fatal consequences, according to KTXL-TV (Channel 40) in Sacramento.

Jennifer Strange, a mother of three from suburban Rancho Cordova, died of apparent water intoxication hours after a failed attempt to win a Nintendo Wii video game system for her children in a promotion dubbed "Hold Your Wee for a Wii."

A tape of the program, known as the "Morning Rave" on KDND, revealed that the potential fatal effects of drinking too much water were raised during the course of the contest, with one on-air host mentioning the 2005 death of a college student during a hazing ritual in Chico. A listener also called in to advise against the stunt.

Strange — one of 20 contestants — initially joked lightheartedly with the show hosts as she and the others chugged bottled water. But as the hours wore on, it came down to Strange and one other woman contending for the grand prize, and she admitted to having a splitting headache and feeling wobbly. Strange quipped on the air that "it looks like I'm pregnant again."

After finishing in second place, Strange rushed with contest winner Lucy Davidson to the station's bathroom to vomit. Strange called her employer to say she was too sick to come in and headed home. Her mother discovered her body that afternoon.

Charles Sipkins, a spokesman for Entercom, said in a statement: “Jennifer Strange’s death was a tragedy. Our hearts go out to all of her loved ones, including, in particular, her husband and children. While legal restrictions preclude us from commenting further on the verdict, we respect the jury’s decision and hope that it will assist the Strange family in coping with its loss.”

catlover79 · 10-30-2009, 08:47 AM

I remember when this thing occured. $16 MILLION?!?!?! That woman should've known better than to drink that much water at once - but then again, that radio station should've lost its broadcasting license over such a stupid, reckless stunt.

Janice · 10-30-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I remember when this thing occured. $16 MILLION?!?!?! That woman should've known better than to drink that much water at once - but then again, that radio station should've lost its broadcasting license over such a stupid, reckless stunt.

I know that those DJs got fired over it, as they should have. It makes me sad when I read how she said she was feeling sick but continued on. She really wanted that gadget for her kids. BTW Monika, I love your avatar. Was that specially designed? It looks like one of those blends that were very popular here a few years back. A member used to make them for others.

OH Nuts! · 10-30-2009, 02:29 PM

Stupid reckless contest. Bravo. Hitting media where they live MIGHT hopefully make a difference to such brazen disregard for other's safety.

catlover79 · 10-30-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

I know that those DJs got fired over it, as they should have. It makes me sad when I read how she said she was feeling sick but continued on. She really wanted that gadget for her kids. BTW Monika, I love your avatar. Was that specially designed? It looks like one of those blends that were very popular here a few years back. A member used to make them for others.

Thank you, Janice - I found that avatar on my favorite Bewitched site:

http://harpiesbizarre.com

Waterston_Fan · 10-30-2009, 06:28 PM

The thing is, she did what probably most parents would do for their kids...

Get something that their kids want..

Marvo301 · 10-30-2009, 07:08 PM

Sadly no amount of money will bring Jennifer Strange back. Hopefully the size of the award granted to her family will serve as a warning to all other radio stations/TV stations/websites and they will do their homework to make sure that all the contests they run are safe. At least that way Jennifer's death will have some meaning.

browneyes106 · 10-30-2009, 07:12 PM

I remember reading about this when it first happened because I was visiting relatives near Sacramento when this first happened. The contest was very reckless. Back in 2004 during my sophmore year of college I took a nutrition class and the teacher who was a nutrionist told us about a similar incident in which a woman drank too much water while trying to do a one day water fast/cleanse. My teacher said water fasting is ok if you only drink 8 glasses of water spread out over a 24 period with a least one meal. She said that you really have to be careful with water fasts and cleanses.

catlover79 · 10-30-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by browneyes106

I remember reading about this when it first happened because I was visiting relatives near Sacramento when this first happened. The contest was very reckless. Back in 2004 during my sophmore year of college I took a nutrition class and the teacher who was a nutrionist told us about a similar incident in which a woman drank too much water while trying to do a one day water fast/cleanse. My teacher said water fasting is ok if you only drink 8 glasses of water spread out over a 24 period with a least one meal. She said that you really have to be careful with water fasts and cleanses.

Not to mention that too much of ANYTHING in your system (especially in that capacity and space of time) is toxic.

Retro4Life · 10-30-2009, 10:09 PM

I'm so sick of these craven deejays who will do anything to anyone for the sake of ratings.

Yes, the woman was terribly foolish to go ahead with the stunt, and no, no one forced her to. But the way these guys prey on people's longing for material goods and coerce them to humiliate themselves and go to practically any length to obtain one of these inexplicably "must have" items, puts me in mind of the devil. He tempts, he taunts, he preys on people's weaknesses, promising physical boon and when the sad soul being tempted ends up destroyed, the devil can fall back on saying "well, it was all his/her choice. All I did was give them the opportunity."

Clamp down on these bottom feeders and cultivate a more educated (and morally centered) public that won't be so willing to put themselves in danger for something so shallow.

End of rant!

10-30-2009, 01:44 AM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Jury awards $16 million to family in fatal radio prank Jury awards $16 million to family in fatal radio prank A Sacramento jury today awarded $16 million to the family of a woman who died during a 2007 radio station contest gone awry. The Sacramento County Superior Court jury concluded that Entercom Sacramento, which operates KDND-FM (107.9) "The End," was negligent after ignoring several warnings that a morning show contest could have fatal consequences, according to KTXL-TV (Channel 40) in Sacramento. Jennifer Strange, a mother of three from suburban Rancho Cordova, died of apparent water intoxication hours after a failed attempt to win a Nintendo Wii video game system for her children in a promotion dubbed "Hold Your Wee for a Wii." A tape of the program, known as the "Morning Rave" on KDND, revealed that the potential fatal effects of drinking too much water were raised during the course of the contest, with one on-air host mentioning the 2005 death of a college student during a hazing ritual in Chico. A listener also called in to advise against the stunt. Strange — one of 20 contestants — initially joked lightheartedly with the show hosts as she and the others chugged bottled water. But as the hours wore on, it came down to Strange and one other woman contending for the grand prize, and she admitted to having a splitting headache and feeling wobbly. Strange quipped on the air that "it looks like I'm pregnant again." After finishing in second place, Strange rushed with contest winner Lucy Davidson to the station's bathroom to vomit. Strange called her employer to say she was too sick to come in and headed home. Her mother discovered her body that afternoon. Charles Sipkins, a spokesman for Entercom, said in a statement: “Jennifer Strange’s death was a tragedy. Our hearts go out to all of her loved ones, including, in particular, her husband and children. While legal restrictions preclude us from commenting further on the verdict, we respect the jury’s decision and hope that it will assist the Strange family in coping with its loss.”

10-30-2009, 08:47 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I remember when this thing occured. $16 MILLION?!?!?! That woman should've known better than to drink that much water at once - but then again, that radio station should've lost its broadcasting license over such a stupid, reckless stunt.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

10-30-2009, 07:08 PM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Sadly no amount of money will bring Jennifer Strange back. Hopefully the size of the award granted to her family will serve as a warning to all other radio stations/TV stations/websites and they will do their homework to make sure that all the contests they run are safe. At least that way Jennifer's death will have some meaning.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

10-30-2009, 10:09 PM	#10
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	I'm so sick of these craven deejays who will do anything to anyone for the sake of ratings. Yes, the woman was terribly foolish to go ahead with the stunt, and no, no one forced her to. But the way these guys prey on people's longing for material goods and coerce them to humiliate themselves and go to practically any length to obtain one of these inexplicably "must have" items, puts me in mind of the devil. He tempts, he taunts, he preys on people's weaknesses, promising physical boon and when the sad soul being tempted ends up destroyed, the devil can fall back on saying "well, it was all his/her choice. All I did was give them the opportunity." Clamp down on these bottom feeders and cultivate a more educated (and morally centered) public that won't be so willing to put themselves in danger for something so shallow. End of rant!
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

10-30-2009, 02:29 PM	#4
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	Stupid reckless contest. Bravo. Hitting media where they live MIGHT hopefully make a difference to such brazen disregard for other's safety.

10-30-2009, 06:28 PM	#6
Waterston_Fan Eternal Member Eternal Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 26, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,195	The thing is, she did what probably most parents would do for their kids... Get something that their kids want..

10-30-2009, 07:12 PM	#8
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I remember reading about this when it first happened because I was visiting relatives near Sacramento when this first happened. The contest was very reckless. Back in 2004 during my sophmore year of college I took a nutrition class and the teacher who was a nutrionist told us about a similar incident in which a woman drank too much water while trying to do a one day water fast/cleanse. My teacher said water fasting is ok if you only drink 8 glasses of water spread out over a 24 period with a least one meal. She said that you really have to be careful with water fasts and cleanses.