Family of hazing victim files lawsuit

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CHICAGO, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- The family of a Northern Illinois University student who died of alcohol poisoning after an initiation party is suing the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

Gary Bogenberger charged that chapter leaders made heavy drinking a condition of membership and encouraged his freshman son, David, to consume "excessive and dangerous amounts of alcohol," the Chicago Tribune reported Friday.

David Bogenberger, 19, was found dead at NIU's Pi Kappa Alpha house Nov. 2, the day after the initiation party.

The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges the fraternity's national organization failed to ensure that its chapters were warned about the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption and did not make enough effort to ensure the NIU chapter followed its hazing policies.

The wrongful death suit names 22 student members of the fraternity in addition to the national organization.

It seeks unspecified damages.

The students named in the lawsuit, including five chapter leaders, have been charged with felony hazing.