A Drake University student was rushed to the hospital following a hazing incident involving alcohol that left him “gurgling” and unresponsive. He had a BAC of .50 – six times the legal limit. A 9-1-1 call likely saved this young man’s life. 2 fraternity chapter members will be charged in the incident.
“The main factor is whether or not (Erickson) was forced,” police Sgt. Lori Lavorato said. “He was not physically forced to do it. It was more like peer pressure. He felt forced to do this in order to become a member.”
A police report indicated Erickson knew his condition was deteriorating and sent messages to a friend apparently seeking help. (As we teach in STEP UP! – let someone know if you need help!)
His mother released the following statement:
“Nate believed his fraternity brothers when they assured him that they wouldn’t let him get hurt. He trusted their judgment. They trusted their own judgment. But there was no judgment to be trusted. They all believed in their own minds that they could control the situation, but they didn’t understand the strength of the alcohol. Alcohol is its own monster.
We believe the other young men had no malicious intent. They just made bad choices. Nate acknowledges that he also made bad choices. That doesn’t mean they’re bad people.
Apparently no one realized that Nate was on his way out until it was almost too late. He didn’t appear nearly as intoxicated as he was. He was talking and sending text messages to his friends without any recall of those activities now.
We want to thank whoever finally realized Nate was in trouble and called 911 for an ambulance in time to save his life. Without that person’s action, it would have been an entirely different outcome, God forbid. …”
Although this probably could have been stopped at a much earlier point, one lesson learned here is when you notice someone in trouble STEP UP! – make that call, take action, DO SOMETHING! Remember we are all in this together.