UPDATE: A Luzerne County jury has just awarded a staggering $3.5 million to the estate of Justin King, an 18-year-old Bloomsburg University freshman who tragically died after a night of excessive drinking at a fraternity party. The verdict, reached on Wednesday, highlights the accountability of Greek organizations in managing dangerous drinking environments on college campuses.
In a landmark decision, the jury determined that the national sorority Alpha Sigma Tau was 35 percent at fault for King’s death, which occurred after he fell from a 75-foot cliff on September 14, 2019. This ruling necessitates the sorority to pay over $3.5 million, including delay damages, to King’s estate.
Jurors also assigned 35 percent liability to the Kappa Sigma fraternity and 24 percent to King himself. Notably, six fraternity brothers were each deemed 1 percent responsible, although they will not be financially liable since only the national sorority was present at trial.
The tragic events unfolded during a rush party held on September 13, 2019, where King was allegedly pressured into consuming large quantities of alcohol. His attorneys described the atmosphere as “out of control” and “inherently coercive,” detailing how party organizers served potent mixed drinks like “Jungle Juice” and set up competitive drinking games. King, who was just beginning his college experience, reportedly had a blood alcohol content of .22 at the time of his death—nearly three times the legal limit for driving.
Authorities report that after drinking heavily at the sorority house, King wandered off campus and fell from a cliff near the Bloomsburg Walking Trail. His body was discovered the following morning, suffering from severe injuries, including brain and lung damage caused by the fall.
King’s estate filed a wrongful death lawsuit against both Alpha Sigma Tau and Kappa Sigma, citing negligence and violations of Pennsylvania’s Timothy J. Piazza Anti-Hazing Statute. The jury’s decision underscores the growing concern regarding Greek life safety, particularly in the wake of similar tragedies.
Benjamin Present, one of the attorneys representing King’s estate, emphasized that the sorority ignored numerous policy violations relating to hazing and underage drinking at its Bloomsburg chapter. He stated, “The evidence showed that Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority ignored policy violations long before Justin King senselessly lost his life.”
This verdict comes amid heightened scrutiny of fraternity and sorority operations, particularly after the death of a nursing student in 2021 led to the suspension of all Greek life programs at Bloomsburg University.
King’s older brother, Drew King, expressed his grief, stating, “He was just doing great things…I was really proud of him.” The verdict serves as a crucial reminder of the responsibilities national Greek organizations hold in safeguarding the well-being of their members.
As this story develops, the implications for fraternity and sorority governance across colleges are significant. Legal experts and advocates are closely watching to see how this ruling may influence policies and practices in Greek life nationwide.
