Parents of Missouri student sue fraternity over hazing
COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP)
The parents of a University of Missouri student from Minnesota are suing a fraternity after their son suffered serious brain injuries during a pledge party.
Authorities say Daniel Santulli's blood alcohol content was more than six times the legal limit for driving on Oct. 20 when he was found unresponsive in a car parked at University Hospital.
The parents' lawsuit says Santulli, who is from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, remains unresponsive with a significant brain injury.
The lawsuit alleges pledges at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity were expected to drink an entire bottle of alcohol as part of a fraternity tradition.
Santulli's alcohol poisoning led to protests on campus in October.
The university suspended the Fiji chapter shortly after Santulli went to the hospital.
Ron Caudill, the fraternity’s national executive director, issued the following statement:
We have received the civil complaint and are reviewing it. The chapter at the University of Missouri is suspended by the International Fraternity and we continue to provide support and cooperation when requested by local authorities as they pursue their investigation. We expect all chapters and members to follow the law and abide by the Fraternity’s policies which prohibit hazing and the provision of alcohol to minors.
Ron Caudill
