College Student, 19, Dies From Frat Hazing; Family Receives $1 Million In Settlement

A family is set to receive $1 million in a settlement deal after a college student died being hazed by a fraternity.

In February 2021, the Delta Chi fraternity gave 19-year-old former pledgee Adam Oakes the instruction to drink a large bottle of whiskey. The next morning, the Loudoun County native was found dead. His death was caused by alcohol poising, according to a chief medical examiner, NBC News reports.

The fraternity was expelled from Virginia Commonwealth University months later, in June 2021.

This past Friday, Adam’s family was approved to receive a settlement of $1 million.

“This is a blueprint to foster a safer and healthier community for students who are part of fraternities and sororities and to create a climate of respect and inclusion that is needed for academic success,” reads a joint statement from the family and university, NBC News reports.

The statement continued: “Adam was a beloved son, grandson, nephew, cousin, student and friend. He had a tremendous future ahead of him and his senseless death brought unspeakable pain and tragedy to all who knew him.”