STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Police are investigating what role hazing and extensive drinking may have played in the death of a Penn State sophomore, State College Chief John F. Gardner said.
Timothy Piazza, 19, who grew up in Readington Township in Hunterdon County, died after a fall at a fraternity house earlier this month. He was a Penn State sophomore studying engineering.
A candlelight vigil attended by his mother and father, as well as his brother, a junior at Penn State, and girlfriend, was held on Sunday.
Gardner announced Friday that detectives are putting together a timeline of what happened on Feb. 2, when Piazza fell down a set of basement stairs at the Alpha Upsilon chapter house of the Beta Theta Pi, and why it took nearly 12 hours before an ambulance was called.
Penn State bans alcohol at Greek parties
Piazza was taken to a local hospital on Feb. 3 before being flown to Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa., where he died on Feb. 4. His death was ruled an accident, but remains under investigation by police.
Gardner said the department is looking into what role “excessive alcohol consumption and fraternity hazing activity may have played in the death of Timothy Piazza, who was one of 14 pledges who were present for a bid acceptance ceremony at the fraternity.”
Video from surveillance cameras at the fraternity house and statements from witnesses are being used in the investigation.
“The process of additional evidence collection and analysis, as well as witness identification, remain primary objectives of this investigation,” Gardner said in a statement.
Joining in the investigation is the Centre County District Attorney’s Office, agents from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Enforcement Agency and representatives from the Pennsylvania State University Office of Student Conduct, according to police. Those who may have information are being asked to call the police at 814-234-7150, by email or through its website.
Penn State announced Thursday that the university and its Interfraternity Council agreed suspend fraternity and sorority parties where alcohol is served.
“Recent events, including a tragic student death associated with activities in a fraternity house, as well as growing allegations of misconduct in these organizations, including hazing and sexual assault, compel this joint action,” the university stated in a release.
The fraternity where Piazza was pledging also suspended operations.
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