Fraternity pledge dies from hazing ritual, Louisiana lawsuit says. ‘Horrifying’
.png "Caleb Wilson, 20, died from an alleged hazing ritual in Louisiana, his family says.")
A 20-year-old college student died at a hospital hours after he was hurt in a hazing ritual, a Louisiana family says in a lawsuit.
Caleb Wilson’s family has filed a petition for wrongful death in the 19th Judicial District Court in East Baton Rouge Parish. The lawsuit names Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and its local Beta Sigma and Lambda Alpha chapters, the state of Louisiana through the Board of Supervisors of Southern University and A&M College, and several individuals as defendants.
McClatchy News reached out to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Board of Supervisors of Southern University and A&M College for comment but did not immediately hear back.
In February, while Wilson was enrolled at Southern University in Baton Rouge, majoring in mechanical engineering, he was recruited by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s local chapters to “seek membership,” according to the petition.
On Feb. 26, Wilson and other pledges were ordered to go to a warehouse by members and officers of the local chapter, court records said. When the pledges got to the warehouse, they were told to put on gray sweatsuits, which was their “pledge attire,” the petition said.
Fraternity members then told the pledges to line up shoulder-to-shoulder, the petition said. While they were lined up, members put on boxing gloves and took turns punching the pledges four times in the chest, according to the petition.
After Wilson was punched four times, he collapsed, had a seizure and became unresponsive, court records said.
Then, instead of getting Wilson the proper help, fraternity members began working to “cover up” what happened, according to the petition.
Instead of calling 911, members moved Wilson to another room, changed him out of his pledge attire, carried him to a car, and drove him to a hospital to drop him off, according to court records. While dropping him off, they then told hospital staff that Wilson was playing basketball at another location and was struck in the chest and collapsed, the petition said.
The “attempt to deceive medical staff” about what happened “further interfered with and/or delayed medical staff provision of timely, necessary and appropriate emergency medical care to (Wilson),” the petition said.
At 3 a.m. Feb. 27, Wilson was pronounced dead.
“The loss of Caleb has devastated our family in ways only someone who has lost a child can begin to comprehend. No family should ever have to receive that phone call. No parents should have to bury their child because of senseless and preventable actions,” Wilson’s family said in a statement.
There have been other incidents involving “dangerous underground pledging, hazing, violent conduct, and related misconduct” by Greek-letter organizations at Southern University that the school has chosen not to report or disclose, the petition said.
“Since Caleb’s death, we have discovered the horrifying truth about underground pledging, hazing, and the needless loss of life caused by longstanding and dangerous so-called ‘traditions,’” Wilson’s family said.
“We have been informed that the local authorities have launched an investigation into this tragic incident, and we fully support their efforts to seek the truth. Currently, our foremost priority is standing in unwavering support of Caleb’s family. We have extended ourselves to them and are ready to assist in any way possible during this difficult time,” a Feb. 28 statement from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity said.
Wilson’s family said they plan to work toward putting an end to hazing and “building a culture where love, respect, and accountability replace hazing once and for all.”
Wilson’s death left an impact on his loved ones, and his family continues to carry his memory.
“Caleb was more than just our son. He was a true light in our family and brought joy into every room he entered. Caleb lived with purpose, was deeply rooted in his faith, and dreamed big dreams for his future,” family members said.
