LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J., – A freshman fraternity member at Rider University died March 30 from drinking too much alcohol at a party intended to celebrate the end of pledging.
Gary DeVercelly, 18, was transported from the Phi Kappa Tau party to the hospital March 29 and was pronounced dead 30 hours later. Police are currently conducting an investigation, and, according to school officials, charges of misdemeanor hazing, felony hazing or manslaughter could be filed.
At the fraternity house, police found many bottles of alcohol. They also seized several computers to determine if the fraternity encourages excessive drinking in hazing rituals.
According to the New York Times, Rider University has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to underage drinking. The party where the incident occurred, however, did not require written permission from the school because it took place at a fraternity.
DeVercelly’s death was the first such alcohol-related fatality in Rider’s history.
