Bowling Green Sophomore Stone Foltz, 20, on life support after ‘fatal’ hazing incident



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A 20-year-old sophomore at Bowling Green State University is fighting for his life after being found in “dire” condition following a fraternity hazing incident. Stone Foltz was rushed to hospital early Friday after being tracked down by his roommates in what one classmate described as ‘deadly’ and ‘insane’ alcohol-related hazing.

A little over 24 hours later, Foltz’s family found themselves faced with the unthinkable: to begin the process of organ donation.

“Please be respectful, considerate and passionate. Please do not post comments on the details of what you heard. Stone is always with us as we go through the organ donation process. Kiss your kids and tell them everyday how much you love them, ”read a statement from Foltz’s mother, shared with local media by a family lawyer.

The 20-year-old attended an off-campus event Thursday night for the BGSU chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fellowship where promises were pressed to drink “large” amounts of alcohol, according to Sean Alto, lawyer for family. .

A Bowling Green student who spoke to WTOL 11 on condition of anonymity said the promises were said to drink “a handful of booze” given to them and “finish it off in the time we’re here before we go. “

A handful of alcohol contains almost 40 shots.

“It’s crazy to me that they can allow this lethal, negligent drinking to continue. I think it’s amazing to me that they are trying to hide behind this organization, ”said the student.

The university said it was aware of “suspected hazing activity involving alcohol consumption” at an off-campus event and has “placed this fraternity on temporary suspension as we work with the forces of local order. ”

The fraternity issued a statement saying it is “horrified and outraged” by the hazing incident.

“The fraternity has a zero tolerance policy towards illegal activity, drug addiction, bullying and hazing of any kind. Let’s repeat it in the strongest terms: we refuse to defend or condone any behavior that creates dangerous environments or situations for our members or the campus community in any of our more than 200 chapters in the United States and abroad, ”the statement said.

The fraternity said it was cooperating with an investigation and suspended the chapter involved in the incident. Bowling Green Police confirmed an investigation was underway, but gave no further details.

Foltz graduated from Buckeye Valley High School in Ohio in 2019 and is said to have been active in various sports.

Tragically, he found himself on life support just months after a law to crack down on hazing was slowed down in the Ohio Senate.

“It happens year after year after year. It’s been going on for a long time, and these young men from these fraternities who are being given the reins of power, they just don’t seem to understand that what they’re doing is wrong, ”said Alto, as quoted by WTOL 11.“ He talks serious, catastrophic and fatal injuries. And they just don’t seem to understand. And, you know, one of the things that I’m hoping for is that this year Ohio lawmakers (might) pass Collin’s Law, which was introduced last year but didn’t. success.

As for Foltz’s family, Alto said, “They are focused on their son right now. I think they’re going to take it hour by hour, day by day. “

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