Death of Maxwell Gruver
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| Date | September 14, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Location | Louisiana State University |
| Cause | Acute alcohol intoxication with aspiration |
| Organized by | Phi Delta Theta |
| Participants | 18 to 20 |
| Casualties | |
| Maxwell Gruver | |
| Deaths | 1 |
Maxwell Gruver died in a hazing ritual while pledging at the Louisiana State University chapter of Phi Delta Theta. He reportedly had condiments thrown at him while reciting the Greek alphabet and answering questions about the fraternity, and was forced to drink 190 proof alcohol if he made mistakes.[1] His body was found the next day on September 14, 2017.[1]
Phi Delta Theta suspended the university's chapter after the incident and ten men were arrested.[2] Four of the men were indicted on charges of negligent homicide in March 2018.[3]
Gruver was one of several pledges who died in hazing rituals nationwide in 2017, including Timothy Piazza at Penn State University, Andrew Coffey at Florida State University, and Matthew Ellis at Texas State University.[3]
Gruver was 18 years old when he died.[4][1] The coroner said the cause of death was "acute alcohol intoxication with aspiration."[3] Gruver's blood alcohol level was 0.495%, six times the legal limit.[1]
In 2017, a warrant was issued for 10 members of the college fraternity Phi Delta Theta for the charge of hazing. On the night before his death Gruver attended what was called a "Bible Study" where pledges were asked questions about the fraternity and had to drink alcohol each time they answered incorrectly. They also had to perform some physical exercises during the "Bible Study" including wall sits while other members walked across their knees. The warrant stated that pledges were also required to lift other members while standing on a book. The pledges drank to excess and Gruver passed out on the couch and no one checked on him until 3:00 am at which time he was then left alone between 3:00 am and 9:00 am. At some point, he had also vomited remnants of spaghetti which blocked his airway. In the morning his pulse was weak and he was taken to a hospital. Medical examiners confirmed he had died around 4 am that morning.[5]