A Franklin County, Ohio judged ruled on Thursday that Ohio University (OU) cannot be held liable for the 2018 Sigma Pi fraternity hazing death of Collin Wiant.
Wiant, who was an 18-year-old freshman at the time of his November 12, 2018 death, died in a Sigma Pi hazing ritual, reports the Columbus Dispatch. The victim was forced by the other fraternity members to inhale nitrous oxide at Sigma Pi’s off-campus house. He was also plied with drugs and alcohol throughout the process. Wiant collapsed and the other fraternity members waited nine minutes before calling for help.
Related Article: 2-Ex Penn State Frat Leaders Plead Guilty in Timothy Piazza Hazing Death
Several Sigma Pi members pleaded guilty to charges in connection to Wiant’s death, reports WYSO. The fraternity brothers were either charged with or pleaded guilty to a wide variety of crimes, including drug trafficking, involuntary manslaughter, misdemeanor hazing, failure to comply with underage drinking laws, felony reckless homicide, obstructing justice, evidence tampering, and improperly dispensing or distributing nitrous oxide. The members who pleaded guilty included:
- Joshua Thomas Androsac
- Saxon Angell-Perez
- Dominic A. Figliola
- Corbin Michael Gustafson
- Zachary Herskovitz
- Elijah Robert Wahib
- Stephen Brent Lewis
- James Dyland Wanke
- Rex Elliott
OU Expelled Sigma Pi After Wiant’s Hazing Death
Sigma Pi was expelled from Ohio University in the spring of 2019 for hazing and other violations.
Wiant’s parents, Kathleen and Wade Wiant, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against OU in 2021, alleging the university was liable for his death. However, earlier this year OU filed a motion for summary judgement, and the motion was granted.
Kathleen and Wade Wiant said they would appeal the ruling.
