On April 29, 2021, Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Paul A. Dobson announced that eight people had been indicted in connection with the death of a Bowling Green State University student. The individuals, who include six current and two former Bowling Green students, face a range of felony and misdemeanor charges, including involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, hazing, failure to comply with underage alcohol laws, and obstruction and tampering with evidence.
The individuals were alleged to have participated in an off-campus Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity event on March 4, 2021. The event was to introduce new members of the fraternity. They were required to drink an entire bottle of alcohol (750 milliliters) as part of their initiation.
One of the new members, a 20-year-old business major, allegedly drank almost his entire bottle. He was taken home by other members of the fraternity and left alone. His roommate found him unresponsive, and three days later, he died.
An autopsy report indicated that his death was an accident caused by consuming a fatal level of alcohol. The student’s blood alcohol content was .35.
The individuals indicted have been summoned to appear in court on May 19, 2021.
Dobson stated that the investigation is still ongoing, and there may have been others who were involved in the events that led to the student’s death. They may also be facing charges.
At Patituce & Associates, we defend the rights and innocence of those facing serious charges in Ohio. If you have been accused of a crime, get aggressive legal representation by calling us at (440) 471-7784 or contacting us online today.