Rutgers Student Sues School After Skull Fracture, Claims Hazing

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — A 19-year-old Rutgers student is suing the university and Theta Chi fraternity after he fell down a flight of stairs and fractured his skull in March.

Armand Runte, of Somers Point, said he was pressured to consume large amounts of alcohol at the fraternity house during pledge week. Runte's representation from Wapner Newman law firm filed his lawsuit against Theta Chi fraternity, Theta Chi alumni corporation, Rutgers University and 13 Theta Chi frat members, Oct. 31 in Middlesex County Superior Court.

According to the court filing, March 24 was something called "Big Brother Night," and the older frat members "forced, coerced and encouraged" Runte and the other younger pledges "to consume life-threatening amounts of alcohol."

Runte became intoxicated and fell down a flight of stairs leading to the basement at 12:52 p.m. that day, according to his lawsuit.

Rutgers Police were called, and a police report was filed. It noted Runte was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Medical Center to be treated for the fall.

But Runte's lawsuit said older fraternity members attempted to “cover up” what had happened. In their report, Rutgers campus police said they were called to the frat house at 2:47 a.m. March 25 — nearly 14 hours after Runte fell down the stairs.

Also, in their report, Rutgers campus police said they were told that Runte fell much more recently to when someone called 911. Rutgers Police said they were told he fell at 11:52 p.m.

According to his lawyer, Runte suffered the following from that fall:

• a skull fracture
• brain bleeding
• traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• brain bleeding
• brain swelling
• facial fractures
• neck and spine damage
• shock, nerve and cognitive damage

Doctors told the teen that nearly all of his injuries may be permanent, the suit said.

Runte's lawyer declined to share the teen's condition today, and it is unknown if he has returned to school at Rutgers.

Rutgers and Theta Chi fraternity have anti-hazing policies in place, but Runte's lawsuit says these policies are ignored.

Runte's lawyers said one of the reasons they specifically named Rutgers University is because Rutgers benefits financially from having Greek life on campus. His lawsuit also argues that the Rutgers Interfraternity Council is failing to monitor the behavior of fraternities and sororities on campus.

Rutgers spokeswoman Dory Devlin declined to comment on this incident, saying the school does not comment when it is sued.

It is now a crime to haze someone in college, after the death of Timothy Piazza, the Hunterdon County teen who died at age 19 in 2017 after he fell down a flight of stairs at Penn State. This occurred after a night of heavy drinking while pledging a frat house.

Prosecutors say fellow frat members left Piazza's unconscious body alone for hours at a time and dissuaded other frat members from calling 911. A total of eight frat members were charged with involuntary manslaughter in Piazza's death, however, only one frat member pleaded guilty.

After Piazza's death, both the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania signed anti-hazing laws, which makes it a crime to haze someone in college. Gov. Phil Murphy signed Timothy J. Piazza’s bill into law on August 24, 2021.

No criminal charges have been filed in connection with Runte's fall. It is unknown if the Middlesex County Prosecutor is investigating this incident.

Related: Penn State Frat House Death: Fast Drinking, Slow Death, Frantic Coverup In Grand Jury Timeline (2017)

Tim Piazza's Law Makes NJ Strictest State In The Nation On Hazing (2021)