A high school student has filed suit against the Detroit Board of Education and a school band director over the hazing he says he endured and an assault and car crash involving his family.

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Student, Lawyer Describe Alleged Band Hazing

Terrell Lavender, 16, claims in the suit that he was beaten by Finney High School band members at the direction of band teacher Melvin Conway as part of a pledge process required to join a secret band fraternity.

A suit was filed Monday in Wayne County Circuit Court and seeks $5 million in damages.

According to the lawsuit, Lavender (pictured, left) was punched, kicked and hit with wooden paddles. The hazing was part of a pledge process students were forced to go through to join a secret fraternity of band members and the band itself.

Additionally, Lavender claims when his parents went to Conway to inquire about the assault and why he was no longer a band member, Conway ordered the entire band to attack and beat up Lavender and his parents.

The family filed a police report on Sept. 20 that reportedly states they were attacked by a crowd of Finney High School band members -- hit with bricks -- allegedly at Conway's direction, Local 4 reported.

"The band director didn't even break it up," said Lavender.

Lavender's aunt crashed a vehicle into a tree while trying to escape the assault, the suit says.

Reed said that there may be more victims of the alleged hazing. The attorney claims that at least one female student was forced to have sex with the band director as part of the ritual.

Mattie Majors, a Detroit Public Schools spokeswoman, declined comment on the lawsuit, saying district officials had yet to see it. She said she had no knowledge of any complaints filed against Conway or any change in the teacher's employment status in light of the allegations.

Conway and Finney principal Alvin Ward did not return messages left for them at the school late Monday afternoon.