Alleged hazing death of Ohio college student after frat party was ‘accidental’: coroner
The death of a Bowling Green State University sophomore in March after an alleged hazing incident at a frat party has been ruled an accident, according to his autopsy.
Stone Foltz’s cause of death was ruled “fatal ethanol intoxication” from a “college fraternity induction ritual,” the Lucas County coroner wrote in his report.
Foltz, 20, attended an off-campus event at the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity in early March and was hospitalized after what school officials have called an “alleged hazing activity involving alcohol consumption.”
He died several days later, on March 7, after his parents arranged to have his organs donated.
“The statement that his death was accidental — without any witness interviews or evidence about Stone being forced to drink an entire handle of whiskey — has no value and doesn’t impact anything criminally,” his family’s lawyers said in a statement to WTOL.
“Stone’s death at the hands of fraternity members hazing him and other pledges was both deliberate and reckless and we will not stop until justice is done and this type of behavior never occurs again on a college campus in this country.”
The Delta Beta Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha at BGSU was placed on administrative suspension after Foltz’s death and on Friday, the school announced that the fraternity had been charged with six violations of the student code of conduct, including causing harm to others, hazing and disrupting order or disregarding health and safety with alcohol.
“Hazing is absolutely intolerable. BGSU continues to work with local law enforcement, who are actively leading their own investigation into this serious situation,” the school said in a statement.
“While these University charges don’t bring back student Stone Foltz, our goal is to hold those accountable who are responsible for this tragedy.”
