Teen Files Lawsuit Against Hosts After Losing Ear in Pool Party Accident

A teenager suffered a serious injury when his ear was severed after attempting a risky flip into a swimming pool during a senior skip day party. According to a new lawsuit, the event was allegedly organized by parents who not only permitted but encouraged underage drinking.

The incident involved 18-year-old Blake Barnes, who attended the gathering on April 13. The party was hosted by Zane Spencer, a fellow student at Desert Vista High School, at his family’s residence in Phoenix, Arizona, as revealed in legal documents obtained by the Daily Mail.

During the festivities, Barnes climbed onto the roof of the house, owned by Brandon and Megan Spencer, both aged 45. He attempted a front flip into the pool below but miscalculated his landing, the lawsuit states.

Upon hitting the water, Barnes collided with the pool deck, resulting in the loss of his ear and a concussion, according to his attorney, Brian Foster, who shared details with AZ Central.

A dramatic video captured by the Daily Mail shows the moment Barnes leapt from the roof, executed a forward flip, and tragically struck his head on the pool’s edge.

As he did so, the crowd of people, most of whom were 17 to 18-years-old, per the suit, shrieked in fear. 

Another teenage boy then jumped off the roof, appearing to provide aid to Barnes, the clip showed.  

The local fire department and paramedics rushed to the home, where they found Barnes ‘unconscious, floating lifeless in the pool,’ Foster told the outlet. 

Blake Barnes (on the edge of the roof), 18, has sued his classmates’ parents after he did a front flip into their pool in Phoenix, Arizona, and ripped his ear off

The bash was planned by Zane Spencer, according to the lawsuit obtained by the Daily Mail

Megan and Brandon Spencer, Zane’s mother and father, ‘provided’ and ‘encouraged’ underage drinking at the party, the complait said 

When he arrived at the hospital, Barnes’ blood alcohol content (BAC) was at 0.114, which is about one-and-a-half times more than the legal limit, the complaint, filed on May 22, 2026, read. 

But, according to the suit, alcohol was handed out at the soiree by the couple, and attendees were told to come to the party with their own alcoholic beverages.

Days before the gathering, Zane sent out a Snapchat message to partygoers that provided the address of the home and told people to ‘Byo alc,’ which means bring your own alcohol, the complaint detailed. 

Blake received the party invite on April 7, which was six days before the event took place, the filing stated. 

During the bash, both Brandon and Megan, ‘did not monitor or control the consumption of alcohol’ or supervise the ‘reckless activities of the minors,’ the lawsuit claimed. 

When he landed in the water, the teen (pictured) struck his head on the pool deck, causing his ear to tear off. He also sustained a concussion

Barnes’ blood alcohol content (BAC) was at 0.114, which is about one-and-a-half times more than the legal limit, the complaint read

Another teenage boy (pictured) jumped into the water after Barnes injured himself in the stunt 

Barnes is suing the couple for negligence, premises liability, and negligent supervision/ negligent conduct of social gathering, the complaint stated.

He has demanded that they pay for his past and future medical expenses, the cost of the lawsuit, and other damages.  

The Daily Mail attempted to contact the Spencers for comment.