A 20-year-old sophomore at Bowling Green State University is fighting for his life after being found in an ‘appalling’ condition following an incident involving a fraternity hazing. Stone Foltz was rushed to a hospital early Friday after being found by his roommates following what a fellow student described as a “deadly” and “crazy” alcohol-related hazing.
Just over 24 hours later, Foltz’s family faces the unthinkable: begin donating his organs.
Please be respectful, considerate and passionate. Please do not comment on the details of what you have heard. Stone is still with us as we go through the process of donating his organs. Hug your children and tell them how much you love them every day, ”read a statement from Foltz’s mother, who a family lawyer had shared with the local media.
The 20-year-old had attended an off-campus event Thursday night for the BGSU branch of the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity, where pledges were forced to drink “ copious ” amounts of alcohol, said Sean Alto, the family’s attorney. .
A Bowling Green student who spoke to news outlet WTOL 11 on condition of anonymity said pledges were told to drink “a handle of all the alcohol” and “finish the whole thing in the time we get there before we leave.” “
An alcohol handle holds nearly 40 shots.
“I think it’s crazy that they can continue this deadly and negligent drinking. I think it’s incredible that they are trying to hide behind this organization, ”said the student.
The university said it was aware of the “ alleged hazing involving alcohol use ” at an off-campus event and “ temporarily suspended this fraternity for working with local law enforcement. ”
The fraternity has issued a statement saying it is “shocked and outraged” about the hazing incident.
“The fraternity has a zero tolerance policy towards illegal activities, drug abuse, bullying and hazing of any kind. Let’s repeat it in the strongest terms: we refuse to defend or approve behavior that creates dangerous environments or situations for our members or the larger campus community in any of our more than 200 chapters in the United States and abroad, ”said the explanation.
The fraternity said it is cooperating with an investigation and has suspended the department involved in the incident. Bowling Green Police confirmed that an investigation was underway but did not provide further details.
Foltz graduated from Buckeye Valley High School in Ohio in 2019 and is said to be active in a variety of sports.
Tragically, he was given a livelihood just a few months after a law intended to address hazing came to a standstill in the Ohio Senate.
“It happens year after year after year. It’s been going on for a long time, and these young men in these brotherhoods who have taken the reins in power just don’t seem to understand what they’re doing is wrong, “Alto said through WTOL 11.” It causes serious, catastrophic, life-altering damage and death. And they just don’t seem to get it. And you know, one of the things I’m hoping for is that Ohio lawmakers this year (could) pass Collin’s law, which was enacted last year but didn’t make it. “
As for Foltz’s family, Alto said, “They are now focused on their son. I expect them to do it hour after hour, day after day. “