Mother sues PSU over prescription drug death

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The mother of a Portland State University college student who died on campus has filed a $25 million lawsuit, saying university staff negligently prescribed the medication that killed him.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that Colette Murray’s suit filed Monday against PSU says Ty Murray Irving’s death in March 2016 was caused by Ambien that student health services prescribed to help overcome his trouble sleeping.

The suit says Irving’s medical history had “red flags” including lung weakness and breathing problems that the medical staff did not properly investigate while also failing to adequately warn Irving that Ambien could be deadly.

Irving was a 25-year-old senior living in a one-bedroom, university-owned apartment at the time of his death.

A university spokesman declined to comment Tuesday.