2 Penn State Students, 2 Fraternities Face Charges for Drinking Death
Two Penn State fraternities and two students were charged with misdemeanors in connection with the death of an 18-year-old freshman who fell onto a concrete stairwell after a night of drinking.
According to an article on Philly.com, University and State College police charged the Alpha Tau Omega and Phi Gamma Delta fraternities each with one count of selling or furnishing alcohol to minors and one count each of unlawful acts relative to alcohol. The 18-year-old freshman was found dead in September with a blood-alcohol level of 0.169 percent, more than twice the legal limit for a 21-year-old to drive. He was found about 75 yards from Phi Gamma Delta.
A 21-year-old female student and a 21-year-old male student are facing charges. According to the article, the female student bought vodka for her underage sister and for the teen who died earlier in the weekend. The male student hosted the deceased teen and his friends in his room at the Phi Gamma Delta house.
The two students should be held both criminally and civilly responsible for the death of the young man. When needless death occurs due to negligence of another party, wrongful death lawsuits can be filed. In these lawsuits, the decedent’s heirs sue the negligent party or parties for damages related to the loss of life and their own pain and suffering. It is recommended that families who think their family member’s death was wrongful first contact a wrongful death attorney for a case assessment. If the case is valid, the attorney can help investigate the claim, gather evidence, represent them in court, and collect the compensation they deserve.
The attorneys at Cherry, Fieger, and Marciano understand the devastating impact a Pennsylvania wrongful death can have on a family. They can help you find justice and compensation for your loved one’s death. Your case consultation with one of the Philadelphia, PA wrongful death attorneys is free of charge and completely confidential.
Source article: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/pennsylvania/20091030_2_fraternities__2_students_charged_in_drinking_death.html
