Bowling Green State University Students Face Felony, Misdemeanor Charges After Fraternity Hazing Death

Eight people are facing criminal charges over the death of a Bowling Green State University student following a hazing incident.

On Wednesday, a grand jury indicted the individuals on a variety of charges, including felonious assault. Of those indicted, six were current students at the university, and two were former students.

Six of the people face involuntary manslaughter charges, which could carry up to a three-year prison sentence. Other charges include violating underage alcohol laws, felonious assault, hazing, reckless homicide, and obstructing official business.

However, Jacob Krinn, 20, was the only individual who was charged with first-degree manslaughter, which is punishable by up to 11 years in prison.

Although the family of the victim, Stone Foltz, felt the indictment was “one step in the right direction,” their lawyers want more to be done to prevent a similar incident from happening in the future.

“How many injuries and deaths will it take for people in positions of power to do the right thing?” attorneys Rex Elliott and Sean Alto stated in an email. “We demand zero tolerance.”

The charges come almost two months after the death of 20-year-old Foltz, who was interested in joining the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Foltz died on March 7, days after attending an off-campus event for the fraternity.

During the event, pledges were reportedly required to drink “a handle” of alcohol, which is equivalent to a 1.75 mL bottle of liquor.

Foltz, of Delaware, Ohio, was dropped off by members of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity after the event and later found unconscious by his roommate. Foltz was briefly placed on life support so his family could donate his organs.

The Lucas County Coroner ruled Foltz’s death an accident due to a fatal level of alcohol intoxication as a result of the hazing incident.