UC Berkeley student, 19, dead after frat party drowning report
Police do not suspect foul play but the fraternity safety coordinator may face criminal charges related to furnishing alcohol to minors, BPD said.
The 19-year-old UC Berkeley student who was found unresponsive next to a fraternity pool during a large party Friday night has died, authorities report.
Police do not suspect foul play but the fraternity safety coordinator, a 19-year-old Cal affiliate who lives on site, may face criminal charges related to furnishing alcohol to minors, BPD said.
The case is now under review by the Alameda County district attorney’s office.
Berkeley authorities have also cited the fraternity, Alpha Delta Phi, alleging it violated the terms of its indoor event permit by exceeding the 200-person limit, and revoked a party permit it had been issued for the following day.
On Wednesday, Berkeley police announced that the student, who had been hospitalized in critical condition, had died.
"We extend our deepest condolences to the student’s family, friends, and the wider campus community. The harm felt by this tragic loss is profound," police said.
The Alameda County coroner's office will now determine the student's cause and manner of death.
His name remained unavailable to release, the coroner's office said this afternoon.
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Berkeley police and firefighters were dispatched to Alpha Delta Phi, at 2422 Prospect St., just before 11:30 p.m. Friday for a 911 call about an unresponsive man who was next to the pool and had possibly drowned.
When they arrived, "officers found a large party underway at the fraternity, with an estimated attendance of more than 300 people. Officers observed conditions consistent with overcrowding and heavy alcohol consumption," BPD said Wednesday in a prepared statement.
Emilie Raguso
Efforts to revive the student at the scene were unsuccessful.
BFD rushed him to Highland Hospital, the regional trauma center, for medical treatment.
As part of the investigation, the city also issued a civil notice of violation to the fraternity relating to "public nuisances during loud and unruly gatherings," police said Wednesday.
The notice, which is posted at the fraternity, serves as a warning but does not in itself result in penalties unless there is a second violation within 90 days, authorities said.
Update, 3:15 p.m. Alpha Delta Phi said it has suspended the activities of its UC Berkeley chapter and that the student was not a member of the fraternity.
Its full statement appears below.
"Our hearts go out to the student’s family and friends. The individual is not a member of Alpha Delta Phi; however, the fraternity is working closely with the university and local authorities. The fraternity suspended the chapter immediately following the initial reports. As this remains an active investigation, we do not have additional details to provide."
