Barrington Teen Among 18 Penn State Students Charged In Frat House Death

By Kara Seymour (Patch National Staff) - May 7, 2017 12:59 pm ET

A Barrington teen is one of 18 Penn State University students who have been charged in connection with a student's death at a frat party in February. Lars Kenyon is charged with Recklessly endangering another person (14 counts for excessive alcohol hazing from spring 2017 rush); Hazing (14 counts for spring 2017 rush); Furnishing alcohol to minors (12 counts for spring 2017 rush); and Unlawful acts relative to liquor (12 counts for spring 2017 rush).

Kenyon and 17 of his fellow Beta Theta Pi frat brothers are facing the charges in connection with the death of 19-year-old Timothy Piazza, who was intoxicated when he fell down a flight of stairs during a Feb. 2 pledge party. Piazza, of New Jersey, was placed on a couch and medical attention was not summoned until the following morning, police said. He died two days later from his injuries, which included a collapsed lung, ruptured spleen and traumatic brain injury. Officials have said his death was preventable and that the injuries initially were not life-threatening. Other fraternity members are facing more serious charges, including involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and assault.

RELATED: Brother's Painful Tribute To Man Who Died At College Frat House

Penn State Frat House Death: Fast Drinking, Slow Death, Frantic Coverup in Grand Jury Timeline

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the grand jury investigation revealed Beta Theta Pi pledges were forced to participate in the fraternity's ritual known as “the gauntlet.” During "the gauntlet," pledges had to visit stations that featured various ways to consume alcohol quickly, such as games and chugging.

A fraternity member told the grand jury that some pledges drank as many as five alcoholic drinks in two minutes, the Inquirer report said.

After Piazza died, fraternity members orchestrated a cover up, authorities said.

PHOTO: The Beta Theta Pi fraternity house, 220 N. Burrowes St., State College, PA (Google Earth)