Rider Student Dies After Fraternity Drinking Binge

[jon1856]

Rider Student Dies After Fraternity Drinking Binge

(CBS/AP) LAWRENCE, N.J. A Rider University freshman died Friday after excessive drinking at a fraternity house on the university's campus, a hospital spokesman said.

Gary Devercelly, 18, of Long Beach, Calif. died at about 10:50 a.m. at Capital Health System's Fuld Campus in Trenton, said Don MacNeill, a hospital spokesman. Devercelly had been in critical condition at the hospital.
http://wcbstv.com/local/local_story_089140457.html
Hundreds gather to show their support for Rider freshman
JOE D’AQUILA, Staff Writer
03/30/2007

http://www.trentonian.com/site/news....id=44551&rfi=6
A dream on hold

Rider freshman caught up in moment, friends say
Friday, March 30, 2007 BY LISA CORYELL

LAWRENCE -- Gary DeVer celly, a laid-back, fun-loving California kid, has dreams of making it big in sports and academics on a small college campus.
But the Rider University freshman, comatose yesterday after a night of binge drinking, may have lost himself in the excitement of pledging a fraternity, friends say.
http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.s...260.xml&coll=5
Rider student dies after fraternity drinking binge

CHRIS NEWMARKER

The Associated Press

LAWRENCE, N.J. - A Rider University freshman died Friday at the Trenton hospital where he was admitted a day earlier after drinking excessively at a fraternity house on the private university's campus.
http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/a...kingbinge.html
Drinking culture plagues colleges across the nation


Friday, March 30, 2007 BY ANDREW KITCHENMAN

Heavy beats spinning from a disc jockey in the corner. Students dancing in a basement, sipping on beers from dozens of 30-packs. The games begin: beer pong, flip cup and "who can funnel the most beer, the quickest?"
That scene is a typical Wednesday night at the Phi Kappa Tau house at Rider University, according to several students yesterday, who described the fraternity members as some of the biggest, and most fun, drinkers on the Lawrence campus.



http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.s...260.xml&coll=5

[Laak 315]

3/4 of a bottle of Absolut in 15 minutes is ridiculous and pretty stupid, if that is what he drank...I don't think it was related to hazing. I think it was more the fact that the kid didn't know his limits. Unfortunately some people overstep their boundaries to try and realize their limits and by then, it's too late. I had a similar situation happen to me last semester when I chugged 1/3 of a handle of Wild Turkey in about 15 seconds (of my own free will, just FYI) and a lot of my friends to this day wonder how I am still alive. (I weigh about 130...I blacked out about 10 minutes afterwards and woke up at noon the next day) It was stupid and I learned from my mistake. Unfortunately, some kids haven't been and won't be as lucky as I was that night...RIP

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by Laak 315

3/4 of a bottle of Absolut in 15 minutes is ridiculous and pretty stupid, if that is what he drank...I don't think it was related to hazing. I think it was more the fact that the kid didn't know his limits. Unfortunately some people overstep their boundaries to try and realize their limits and by then, it's too late. I had a similar situation happen to me last semester when I chugged 1/3 of a handle of Wild Turkey in about 15 seconds (of my own free will, just FYI) and a lot of my friends to this day wonder how I am still alive. (I weigh about 130...I blacked out about 10 minutes afterwards and woke up at noon the next day) It was stupid and I learned from my mistake. Unfortunately, some kids haven't been and won't be as lucky as I was that night...RIP

Laak;
Your posting confuses me.
There is no "if" to what Gary drank-Blood tests show it rather clearly.
And yes, you were very lucky that you did not wake up in the ER or just not wake up at all. I do have to wonder just what your "friends" did in the 10 minutes that you were pasted out.

Just found this story on line that is so, so sad and "wrong":
No Thought of a Problem: 'We All Just Get Wasted'

...."
On a recent weekend night, Mr. Dozier and his friends invented a theme for one of their binges. They called it a "vomit party," in which the 25 or so students who gathered in a friend's apartment were encouraged to drink nauseating amounts from a shared bottle of vodka. Unfortunately, Mr. Dozier said, the bottle was toppled over early in the evening by one of the tipsy partygoers and the festivities were brought to an end.
"The vomit party didn't go down like it was supposed to," he said."
....."
They were lucky. Gary Devercelly Jr., a freshman at Rider University in New Jersey, landed in the emergency room after drinking a bottle of vodka at a fraternity party last month. He later died from complications resulting from "respiratory suppression," a condition in which alcohol suppresses the part of the brain that makes a person breathe.
An autopsy found his blood alcohol concentration was 0.426, more than five times the legal limit to drive a car in the state."
..."
Mr. Beale, 18, said his peers often brag about "blacking out," or drinking to the point that they experienced some short-term memory loss — a state that has been linked to permanently damaging a young person's memory, spatial skills, and ability to focus.
Explaining the temptation to gloat about "blacking out," he said: "Part of that might have something to do with trying to get some sort of image as someone who parties often, and knows how to have a good time. But I think it might be mostly because nights like those can lead to some amusing situations when you ignore the brain damage aspect of it."
http://www.nysun.com/article/54067?page_no=1
http://www.nysun.com/article/54213
http://www.nysun.com/article/53980

[Laak 315]

Actually, I was unaware of what I was doing for the rest of the night...I was told I vomited quite a bit in the bathroom with numerous people in there with me to make sure I didn't "drown" in the toilet, or anything of the sort. Unfortunately, people don't know how serious a condition a person can be in when he/she drinks too much. Why do you think people who drank too much the night before aren't found dead until the next morning? It's because the other people think that person is simply passed out...not brain-dead/poisoned. I don't fault anyone at the party I was at for not taking me to the hospital or calling 911. I'm positive they would have had they been given certain signs (such as me not breathing, blue face, etc..., even though it probably would have been too late...) It would have been nice if they did lol, but I don't blame anyone for not knowing how bad off I was. They probably didn't know how serious of a condition I was in since I was still awake and was very talkative, from what I am told. (I blacked out but that doesn't mean I wasn't still awake and engaging in conversations etc...) The fraternity brothers of the guy in the article probably thought he was simply sleeping/passed out for awhile, before they decided to call 911. Unfortunately, in today's society, I don't think too many people on a college campus are going to call 911 immediately just because they see someone who has been drinking passed out. Maybe they should, but the average college-person's mentality seems to be that they are fine and will wake up the next morning. So, in summary, if you are trying to blame my fraternity brothers for me being in bad shape, I think you're wasting your time. I certainly don't blame them. It wasn't their idea for me to drink so much. I take full responsibility for my actions and had I died that night, it would have been my fault, not theirs. I learned my lesson the hard way, but sometimes that's what it takes for a person to learn a lesson. As sad as it is to hear about the guy in the article dying, no one is really to blame but himself. He's the one who drank so much of his own free will (as I stated, 3/4 a bottle of vodka is ridiculous). To blame his fraternity brothers is ludicrous in my opinion.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by Laak 315

Actually, I was unaware of what I was doing for the rest of the night...I was told I vomited quite a bit in the bathroom with numerous people in there with me to make sure I didn't "drown" in the toilet, or anything of the sort. Unfortunately, people don't know how serious a condition a person can be in when he/she drinks too much. Why do you think people who drank too much the night before aren't found dead until the next morning? It's because the other people think that person is simply passed out...not brain-dead/poisoned. I don't fault anyone at the party I was at for not taking me to the hospital or calling 911. I'm positive they would have had they been given certain signs (such as me not breathing, blue face, etc..., even though it probably would have been too late...) It would have been nice if they did lol, but I don't blame anyone for not knowing how bad off I was. They probably didn't know how serious of a condition I was in since I was still awake and was very talkative, from what I am told. (I blacked out but that doesn't mean I wasn't still awake and engaging in conversations etc...) The fraternity brothers of the guy in the article probably thought he was simply sleeping/passed out for awhile, before they decided to call 911. Unfortunately, in today's society, I don't think too many people on a college campus are going to call 911 immediately just because they see someone who has been drinking passed out. Maybe they should, but the average college-person's mentality seems to be that they are fine and will wake up the next morning. So, in summary, if you are trying to blame my fraternity brothers for me being in bad shape, I think you're wasting your time. I certainly don't blame them. It wasn't their idea for me to drink so much. I take full responsibility for my actions and had I died that night, it would have been my fault, not theirs. I learned my lesson the hard way, but sometimes that's what it takes for a person to learn a lesson. As sad as it is to hear about the guy in the article dying, no one is really to blame but himself. He's the one who drank so much of his own free will (as I stated, 3/4 a bottle of vodka is ridiculous). To blame his fraternity brothers is ludicrous in my opinion.

You are very kind to your Brothers. While I would not use the word "blame", I do believe that they failed to use common sense and knowledge to be pro-active. They failed to protect you when you were unable to protect yourself or even explain what you felt like.

In my chapter, we more than once sent Brothers to the ER for medical exams.

At least once for ODing on alcohol and once due to an allergic reaction to a drug.

[Tom Earp]

Sorry, this will be one of the few posts I will answer anymore, but drinking until drunk and throwing up in the Toilet or trash can is never funny. If it is condoned by His fellow members I just do not understand!

In doing this, I wonder why anyone even Associated/Pledged these new people and allow this to happen?

One never knows what this person can take and then dies!

Could He have been a great member and goe on to other things bigger and better?

[ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl]

Originally Posted by Laak 315

Actually, I was unaware of what I was doing for the rest of the night...I was told I vomited quite a bit in the bathroom with numerous people in there with me to make sure I didn't "drown" in the toilet, or anything of the sort. Unfortunately, people don't know how serious a condition a person can be in when he/she drinks too much. Why do you think people who drank too much the night before aren't found dead until the next morning? It's because the other people think that person is simply passed out...not brain-dead/poisoned. I don't fault anyone at the party I was at for not taking me to the hospital or calling 911. I'm positive they would have had they been given certain signs (such as me not breathing, blue face, etc..., even though it probably would have been too late...) It would have been nice if they did lol, but I don't blame anyone for not knowing how bad off I was. They probably didn't know how serious of a condition I was in since I was still awake and was very talkative, from what I am told. (I blacked out but that doesn't mean I wasn't still awake and engaging in conversations etc...) The fraternity brothers of the guy in the article probably thought he was simply sleeping/passed out for awhile, before they decided to call 911. Unfortunately, in today's society, I don't think too many people on a college campus are going to call 911 immediately just because they see someone who has been drinking passed out. Maybe they should, but the average college-person's mentality seems to be that they are fine and will wake up the next morning. So, in summary, if you are trying to blame my fraternity brothers for me being in bad shape, I think you're wasting your time. I certainly don't blame them. It wasn't their idea for me to drink so much. I take full responsibility for my actions and had I died that night, it would have been my fault, not theirs. I learned my lesson the hard way, but sometimes that's what it takes for a person to learn a lesson. As sad as it is to hear about the guy in the article dying, no one is really to blame but himself. He's the one who drank so much of his own free will (as I stated, 3/4 a bottle of vodka is ridiculous). To blame his fraternity brothers is ludicrous in my opinion.

I'm always on the fence on this one. The fact is that some people "pass out" because they're tired and drunk and it definitely wouldn't be appropriate to take them to the ER...but how do you tell if it's more than that?

I say better safe than sorry.

I also say that much alcohol in that small amount of time is a good indication that trouble may be ahead. I've stayed up all night with people watching them more than once, just to make sure they didn't keep throwing up and choke (try keeping a drunk person on their side...they don't listen) or have trouble breathing, if I thought it was a borderline situation. I have to say I've never been in a situation where someone had enough alcohol to do either of those things while asleep, but I can see it happening easily and if no one is paying attention, it's easy for them to die.

But here's the thing, .426? They should have known in this case. If even one person knew he drank that much, that's a problem. Taking a few shots in an hour or two and passing out later and taking almost a whole bottle of Absolut in minutes and passing out are different situations.

In the end we're all responsible for our own actions...it's pure stupidity to drink that much that fast...it's like going 100 down a highway with your eyes closed. But at the same time, just as FRIENDS, it's important to care enough to pay attention to friends.

[Dksigmapresiden]

when I pledged my fraternity we took a pledge trip. one of our brothers died in a car accident from the car flipping over. it was realyl terrible and still to this day we continue to honor his death on the anniversary of his death. we continue to have al lighting vigile in his honor.

[EE-BO]

This amazes me.

Even some of the articles on this case pointed out there was no forced drinking here- it was a spontaneous act.

This kid spent almost 18 years of his life under the care of Mom and Dad, and a few weeks under the partial influence of a fraternity at a college.

And now the college is responsible?

Logic would dictate it is more likely this kid had fucking losers for parents who contributed to a weak sense of personal responsibility than some sinister influence that suddenly overtook him.

99% of us go off to college and have our fun, but also stay alive and in good stead. This is because we head off to college well-equipped to be adults- and a good 5-6 years older than our great grandparents who were often married with kids and running households at the age of today's college freshmen.

And now Mom and Dad want to sue. How sad. I wonder how they can look themselves in the mirror after trying to profit from the death of their own child whose bad decisions were his own- but most likely influenced by their own inadequacy.

[exlurker]

The Associated Press has an update. See

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5g...rthjwD8VVTT600

Brief excerpts from longer article:

The former president of a fraternity at Rider University has settled a lawsuit with the parents of a pledge who drank himself to death last year . . . .
Michael Torney agreed to pay $150,000 to the family of Gary DeVercelly Jr. and agreed to provide information to help the family with their lawsuit against the university, the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and others over their son's death.

. . . a lawyer for DeVercelly's parents, said Torney's cooperation "will result in the release of significant evidence establishing the responsibility of Rider University and Phi Kappa Tau fraternity."
Torney still faces criminal charges of aggravated hazing. . . .

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by EE-BO

This amazes me.

Even some of the articles on this case pointed out there was no forced drinking here- it was a spontaneous act.

This kid spent almost 18 years of his life under the care of Mom and Dad, and a few weeks under the partial influence of a fraternity at a college.

And now the college is responsible?

Logic would dictate it is more likely this kid had fucking losers for parents who contributed to a weak sense of personal responsibility than some sinister influence that suddenly overtook him.

99% of us go off to college and have our fun, but also stay alive and in good stead. This is because we head off to college well-equipped to be adults- and a good 5-6 years older than our great grandparents who were often married with kids and running households at the age of today's college freshmen.

And now Mom and Dad want to sue. How sad. I wonder how they can look themselves in the mirror after trying to profit from the death of their own child whose bad decisions were his own- but most likely influenced by their own inadequacy.

I agree and guess we will have to wait for the up-coming law suits to find out.

[ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl]

Originally Posted by EE-BO

This amazes me.

Even some of the articles on this case pointed out there was no forced drinking here- it was a spontaneous act.

This kid spent almost 18 years of his life under the care of Mom and Dad, and a few weeks under the partial influence of a fraternity at a college.

And now the college is responsible?

Logic would dictate it is more likely this kid had fucking losers for parents who contributed to a weak sense of personal responsibility than some sinister influence that suddenly overtook him.

99% of us go off to college and have our fun, but also stay alive and in good stead. This is because we head off to college well-equipped to be adults- and a good 5-6 years older than our great grandparents who were often married with kids and running households at the age of today's college freshmen.

And now Mom and Dad want to sue. How sad. I wonder how they can look themselves in the mirror after trying to profit from the death of their own child whose bad decisions were his own- but most likely influenced by their own inadequacy.

Yes and no. Personally, given the fact pattern we have, I don't think the university is responsible, but in today's world, it only matters what the legal system thinks, not us.

It's important to know what you're legally responsible for as well when you get into situations like this. Have an apartment with underage drinkers? If they have been drinking and you have alcohol in the apartment it doesn't matter if they got it there or not, you can be taken to jail. If someone at the party dies, you can be sued. No one seems to think about these issues either. If someone dies from drinking in your presence, like now, you and your organization can be sued. It's one of the reasons I don't have apartment parties, personally, and I volunteer to be the one to make sure my drunk friends aren't TOO drunk. It keeps both them and YOU safe.

I doubt they are trying to profit from their son's death so much as trying to punish people that they hold responsible. Having no children, much less having never lost children this way (I'm just assuming you haven't either but please correct me if I am wrong about that), I don't know what I'd do and don't personally find it appropriate to judge someone in a position I hope to never ever be in. But I'm sure it's hard to place blame only on their son and to accept that he caused his own death, stupidly. The only person I would feel like suing, I think, given the fact pattern, is whoever supplied the alcohol. Even then, I feel it's shaky. But who knows what they are going through.

In the end, though, I think holding everyone else responsible in a situation like this is like holding someone responsible for a truth or dare gone wrong. If you decide to DO it, it's on your shoulders. That's my take on it, anyway. I hold myself responsible for all of the stupid things I've done, whether or not someone "urged" me to do it. I always had the option of saying no.

[jon1856]

While doing an unrelated search, found this news update:
AP NewsBreak: Rider administrators warned about hazing?

By CHRIS NEWMARKER,
AP
Posted: 2008-06-04 14:42:50
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - The parents of a dead Rider University student are now claiming that school administrators were personally warned about dangerous hazing at a fraternity chapter blamed for their son's death last year.

Lawyers for Gary DeVercelly Jr.'s parents filed a motion last week to expand their lawsuit against the university to include two school administrators, Ada Badgley and Cassie Iacovelli.

The lawyers say the administrators were told of excessive drinking during pledge season but did nothing to stop it at the on-campus Phi Kappa Tau house........
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/ap-news...04144209990042

[exlurker]

Update October 17, 2008

An individual settles . . . and looks like a "lesser charge" is agreed to:

http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?se...cal&id=6454913

[exlurker]

Update December 16, 2008:

Probation with certain conditions for one of the members of the fraternity:

http://www.nj.com/mercer/index.ssf/2..._for_ride.html