$75 million verdict awarded to family of Michigan student who died after taking illegal drug his friends told him was Adderall

(WWJ) — The family of a Metro Detroit college student who died in a drug overdose has won a multi-million verdict.

The Mike Morse Law Firm says a Wayne County jury on Thursday awarded $75 million in a landmark wrongful death case to the estate of Denis Preka, said to be the largest single death verdict ever in Michigan.

Preka, a student at the University of Michigan, was 21 years old in March 2019 when he was studying for a big test. WWJ Legal Analyst Charlie Langton reports Preka was planning on “pulling an all-nighter” and had asked his friends for drugs to help him stay up all night.

But his friends “thought it would be a nice, good social media joke to make a video to see how he’d react after taking an illegal drug,” Langton reported. Preka later died from an overdose.

The law firm says Preka thought he was taking Adderall given to him by Nicholas Remington, the defendant in the case, but it turned out it was Molly (MDMA), a synthetic drug that can act as a stimulant and mild hallucinogen

The lawsuit sought damages for conscious pain and suffering, as well as the loss of society and companionship. The substantial verdict “reflects the jury’s recognition of the profound impact of this tragic incident on Dennis Preka's loved ones,” the law firm said.

“This verdict sends a powerful message about the importance of truth and accountability,” Mike Morse said, per a press release. “Denis Preka's life was tragically cut short due to the reckless actions of Nicholas Remington, and while no amount of money can bring Denis back, this verdict ensures that justice is served. We hope this case raises awareness about the dangers of drug misrepresentation and brings some measure of peace to his family."

Preka, a graduate of Warren De La Salle Collegiate High School, first attended the University of Detroit Mercy before transferring to Michigan, according to the Denis Preka Foundation website.

More on today's top stories: