Western University has fired the lawyers who were representing the school in a civil lawsuit filed by the family of a student killed by a drunk driver on campus in 2015.

In a statement, Western wrote its lawyers filed a statement of defence "without first consulting Western to its contents. Western does not support certain contents of that statement of defence."

Western's announcement comes amid outrage at statements of defence filed by the university and the driver who killed Andrea Christidis. The driver's statement of defence blames Christidis for her own death because she was using her phone and not wearing her glasses at the time she was killed.

An online petition started by MADD Western was signed by nearly 25,000 people, asking for the Western University to apologize.

Civil suit initiated by victim's family

The family of Christidis, who was killed by drunk driver Jared Dejong in 2015, is seeking $7 million in damages from the driver and Western University.

Also named in the lawsuit are Dejong, Dejong's father, the University Student Council and The Spoke tavern.

The Christidis family alleges The Spoke, the student-run university bar where Dejong was drinking, overserved him and should not have allowed him to get behind the wheel.

Playing the 'blame game'

Dejong pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing death. He had more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system when he was arrested.

Dejong's statement of defence says, in part, that the collision happened as a result of "negligence" by Christidis including:

She failed to notice the Dejong's vehicle or its headlights

She failed to wear glasses

She walked into the path of Dejong's car

She wore dark clothing

She was distracted by her cell phone

"On the occasion in question, she was the author of her own misfortune."

Andrew Murie, CEO of MADD Canada, says the Dejongs' statement of defence neglects that, if Jared Dejong hadn't been driving while drunk, Christidis would likely still be alive.

"It really is reversing who the victim is here: it's the lady who was killed by the drunk driver," said Murie.

The idea, he said, is to minimize the amount of cash the defendants will have to pay out by introducing a constellation of mitigating circumstances.

"It's a bit of the blame game but it's all about money."

Western University told CBC News it has retained the law firm of Black Sutherland to take over its defence in this lawsuit. Lawyers are expected to file a new statement of defence on Western's behalf in the coming weeks. In a statement, the university called Christidis' death 'a terrible tragedy' that continues to resonate on and off campus.

"Our deepest sympathy goes out to Andrea's family and friends and all those impacted by her death," the university said.