Dead Teen’s Best Friend Denies Beating Him at Party, Claiming ‘Negligence’ Led to an ‘Unavoidable Accident’

Noah Presgrove’s best friend is speaking out against a lawsuit filed by the late teen’s family, which alleges that a group of people beat him to death at a party two years ago.

In a response submitted Sunday, Aug. 26, by their attorney, Jack Newton and his father, Caleb Newton, argue that Noah’s death was “an unavoidable accident, casualty and misfortune which occurred without negligence on the part of Defendants.”

Their attorney went further, claiming Noah bore responsibility for what happened.

“Decedent, with full knowledge of the risks inherent in consuming excessive quantities of alcohol, including the risk of injury or death, voluntarily chose to participate,” the filing states. “Therefore, Decedent knowingly and voluntarily assumed the risk.”

The filing also states that Noah’s own actions “proximately caused or contributed to his accident.”

But in an interview with PEOPLE, Caleb distanced himself from the language in the legal response that appeared to blame Noah. He said his only goal is to see the lawsuit resolved as he and Jack continue to deny wrongdoing.

“I can’t believe that we’re two years deep into this and I’ve been asked a thousand times what I think happened and I just say, ‘I don’t know. I wasn’t there. I’m waiting on the investigators to figure it out,’” Caleb said.

Noah, 19, was found dead on the side of a road on Sept. 4, 2023, hours after leaving a Labor Day weekend party with friends, PEOPLE previously reported. He had suffered fatal blunt force injuries to his skull and spine, though investigators still have not determined exactly how. His clothes were later discovered intact nearby. An autopsy revealed he had been drinking.

To date, no one has been arrested or charged in the case, which has fueled speculation and debate online.

In June, Noah’s estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Newtons, several other individuals connected to the party, and a convenience store accused of selling alcohol to underage buyers. The company has denied those allegations.

The suit alleges that “[Noah]’s death was not caused by being hit by a motor vehicle. … [He] was beat to death by one or more of the Defendants,” and further claims that “two or more Defendants engaged in a civil conspiracy to beat [Noah].” It seeks at least $75,000 in damages, though it does not include direct evidence supporting the accusations.

The family’s attorney, Austin Vance, told PEOPLE in June that they had more information than they could make public at the time.

“The adults there and the kids shouldn’t have allowed it to get to any position where Noah was ever going to be at risk of dying,” Vance said. “I don’t think anyone expects their 19-year-old to ever go to a party and die.”

Oklahoma state police have said the investigation is ongoing but declined to provide an update in light of the civil suit.

Caleb, meanwhile, expressed frustration. “I just hate all of this,” he said. “We’re being accused of the most ridiculous thing in the world.”

In their response to the lawsuit, Jack and Caleb admitted there was a party near where Noah’s body was later found, but they denied the core claims — including that Caleb supplied an all-terrain vehicle Noah allegedly wrecked or that Jack illegally purchased alcohol.

Dailen Presgrove, Noah’s older brother, previously told PEOPLE that the family’s lawsuit isn’t about financial compensation.

“The way I’ve looked at it is that this is kind of the final point,” he said. “We’ve exhausted every avenue, we’ve done everything that we can, and so this is really the last big Hail Mary to seek that retribution, seek that truth so that we can put everything to bed.”

Other defendants in the case include Avery Jo Howard, Carter Combs, Johnnie Trout Wilcoxson Jr., Stevie Howard and Logan Jernigan. The suit claims Avery, Carter, and Logan organized the party on Johnnie’s property, which was owned by Stevie.

Attorney Andrew Benedict, representing the extended Wilcoxson family, said last year that they were mourning “the tragic death of Noah Presgrove” and had fully cooperated with investigators. He has not commented on the new suit, and the other defendants have yet to file court responses.

In an earlier interview, Jack — now preparing to become a father — recalled the night before Noah’s body was discovered. He said he went to bed around 2 a.m. on Sept. 4, later piecing together bits of Noah’s last hours from others. But, he admitted, “Everybody I asked will tell you a different story.”