Family of hazing victim Stone Foltz who died after 'downing 40 shots' of alcohol get $3M
BOWLING GREEN, OHIO: Bowling Green State University paid out about $3 million to the family of a student who sadly died from excessive alcohol consumption at a fraternity event. Stone Foltz, 20, a sophomore business major at the Ohio university, passed away in a hospital on March 2021, three days after he allegedly was made to drink 40 shots while pledging Pi Kappa Alpha's Delta Beta chapter while being blindfolded.
Foltz took part in the ritual on Thursday night, and he was later dropped off at this apartment between 11 and 11.30 p.m. in a very drunken and sickly state. He was placed on life support and died after his family prepared for organ donation, reported Daily Mail. His parents, Cory and Shari, have established a foundation and stated that they will work with the university to combat hazing on college campuses during a joint announcement of the settlement on Monday, Jan 23.
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According to court filings, the settlement with Bowling Green State University is in addition to more than $7 million in compensation made to the family by the fraternity and individuals involved. The settlement was described as "the largest payout by a public university in a hazing case in Ohio history" by the attorney for Foltz's family, CBS affiliate WBNS-TV reported.
How did Stone Foltz die?
Foltz, from Delaware, Ohio, was discovered unconscious after Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity members dropped him off at his residence. He died after being on life support for three days. Eight former fraternity members pleaded or were found guilty on a variety of counts, including reckless homicide, hazing, and giving alcohol to a minor. Two of the eight defendants were acquitted of more serious allegations, such as involuntary manslaughter, last year. Foltz wasn't compelled or obligated to drink the entire bottle, according to their defense attorneys, and he decided to do it on his own.
Foltz's parents claimed in their wrongful death case that despite being aware of hazing in fraternities and sororities, the institution did nothing to stop it. It said that the defendants' actions were "utterly intolerable in a civilized society" and explained how pledges were reportedly dragged into a basement while wearing blindfolds and coerced into drinking an entire bottle of alcohol each. According to the lawsuit, Stone was brought to his apartment and left on the sofa unattended after being forced to consume the bottle, which is the equivalent of 40 shots. Later, when his roommate discovered him still breathing, she made calls to 911 and Stone's girlfriend. After being transported to the hospital, the 20-year-old died a few days later.