ARTICLE: Parents sue college, frat for alcohol death

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The parents of a Rider University student who died after a suspected hazing incident last spring sued the school Friday, claiming it didn't adequately supervise the fraternity house where excessive drinking occurred.

A wrongful death lawsuit was filed by lawyers for Gary and Julie DeVercelly, whose son Gary DeVercelly Jr. died in March after a party at the on-campus Phi Kappa Tau house in which authorities say pledges were urged to consume large quantities of alcohol.

The suit in state Superior Court seeks an unspecified amount of money from Rider, as well as Ohio-based Phi Kappa Tau, and four members of the fraternity's now-defunct Rider chapter.

DeVercelly, an 18-year-old freshman from Long Beach, Calif., was pronounced dead on March 30 at a Trenton hospital, two days after the party. He had a blood alcohol content of .426, according to autopsy results released by prosecutors.

Debbie Stasolla, a Rider administrator who helps run the university task force started after DeVercelly's death to address alcohol issues, declined to comment on the lawsuit. But she said the university has done a great deal to improve safety, including implementing tougher sanctions for alcohol violations and prohibiting alcohol at all social events in residence halls or Greek houses.

Steve Hartman, the national chief executive of Phi Kappa Tau, also wouldn't discuss the lawsuit, but said the fraternity has proper policies and procedures in place for its chapters.

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