Dad calls son’s death at frat ‘preventable’

    This Oct. 31, 2014, photo shows Timothy Piazza, (center), with his parents Evelyn and James Piazza, during Hunterdon Central Regional High School football's 'Senior Night' at the high school's stadium in Flemington, N.J. (Patrick Carns via AP)

    This Oct. 31, 2014, photo shows Timothy Piazza, (center), with his parents Evelyn and James Piazza, during Hunterdon Central Regional High School football's 'Senior Night' at the high school's stadium in Flemington, N.J. (Patrick Carns via AP)

    The father of a Penn State student who died after falling down a flight of steps during an alcohol-fueled fraternity pledge night is calling the loss “a senseless and very preventable tragedy.”

    Jim Piazza made the comments at a news conference Friday after charges against Beta Theta Pi and 18 frat brothers were announced by the Centre County district attorney. They range from involuntary manslaughter to furnishing alcohol to minors and evidence tampering.

    Nineteen-year-old sophomore Timothy Piazza of Lebanon, New Jersey, fell down stairs at the frat Feb. 2.

    Authorities say help wasn’t called for 12 hours, and Piazza died at a hospital two days later.

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    Jim Piazza says his son’s death was the “result of a feeling of entitlement and flagrant disregard” of the law.

     

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