Family sues over death at frat house

SEATTLE, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The family of a University of Washington student who died in a fall from a third-floor window is suing the fraternity, lawyers say.

Kevin McDonald, 21, died June 14, 2008, when he fell through the window from the top bunk of a three-level bunk bed, the family said in legal papers filed in state court in Kings County.

Lawyer John Polito said in court documents Alpha Sigma Phi Mu officers should have realized placing the bunk bed next to a large window created a potentially deadly situation, SeattlePI.com reported Wednesday. The lawsuit lists other unnamed defendants.

"The 'sky bunk' was unsafely and precariously placed next to a casement

window (which) was also negligently designed," Polito said.

Gordy Hemminger, the fraternity's national president and chief executive officer, refused to comment on the lawsuit. He told SeattlePI.com the University of Washington chapter has honored McDonald by creating a scholarship fund named after him.