More Defendants To Be Added To Lawsuit Over NIU Student's Drinking Death
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The number of defendants is doubling in a civil suit linked to the death of a 19-year-old NIU student - and alleged fraternity hazing.
The blood alcohol level of 19-year-old David Bogenberger of Palatine was more than four times the legal limit for driving, authorities say.
And that his death last fall was alcohol-related.
Defendants To Be Added To Hazing Lawsuit
A death that happened after a fraternity initiation event in NIU's Pi Kappa Alpha house.
More than 20 fraternity members are criminally charged - and the family is suing them in civil court.
And now 17 women are being added as defendants, along with four more men.
The attorney for the family is Peter Coladarci - and he says the women were co-participants.
"They would ask silly questions, provocative questions. Questions you can't answer right and would pour drinks for them and have them drink.
"The impression that was given to some of the pledges was that if you didn't drink, you weren't passing some test of manliness."
Coladarci says he may add even more people to the list of defendants, which now includes more than 40.
Coladarci says Bogenberger "wanted to join the fraternity. And this was the condition that was put on him to join the fraternity.
"I don't believe that he thought that he was in mortal danger. He was forced, essentially, to drink. And the more he drank, the less he could resist."
