Arrest warrants were issued Monday for 22 people wanted in connection with the death of Northern Illinois University freshman David Bogenberger, of Palatine. Toxicology tests showed Bogenberger’s blood-alcohol concentration was .351 — almost five times the legal limit for driving in Illinois. Bogenberger was found dead on November 2, 2012 in a bed at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house, 1020 W. Hillcrest Drive.
His cause of death has been attributed to an enlarged heart with cardiac arrhythmia, and alcohol intoxication as a significant condition contributing to his death, according to DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller, who ruled the death accidental.
The level of intoxication would have likely showed several stages of warning signs prior to his death, which could have been prevented by proper medical care.
BAC — Blood Alcohol Content (% by volume)
.06-.09
Blunted feelings, disinhibition, extroversion, with impairment of reasoning, depth perception, peripheral vision, and glare recovery. For comparison, the legal limit for alcohol while operating a motor vehicle in Illinois is 0.08 percent.
0.10–0.19
Over-expression, emotional swings, anger or sadness, boisterousness, decreased libido, with impairment of reflexes, reaction time, Gross motor control, walking (staggering), speech (slurred), sexual performance (temporary erectile dysfunction). The high BAC includes possibility of temporary alcohol poisoning.
0.20–0.29
Stupor, loss of understanding, impaired sensations, possibility of loss of unconscious with impairment of motor skills and memory (blackout).
0.30–0.39
Severe central nervous system depression, unconsciousness, death is possible with impairment of bladder function, breathing, equilibrium (dysequilibrium), heart rate (low heart rate). Some conditions can cause high heart rate prior to the condition of alcohol poisoning.
Alcohol Poisoning
Blood alcohol level can continue to rise after a person passes out. Alcohol poisoning symptoms include …
Mental confusion, sutpor, coma with inability to awaken
Vomiting
Seizures
Slow breathing (less than eight breath per minute)
Irregular breathing (10 seconds or more between breaths)
Hypothermia (low body temperature) with bluish skin color, and paleness
Arrest warrants for Class 4 felony Hazing were issued for five Pi Kappa Alpha leaders: Fraternity president Alexander M. Jandik, 21; event planner Steven A. Libert, 20, of Naperville; fraternity vice president James P. Harvey, 21, of DeKalb; fraternity pledge advisor Omar Salameh, 21m of DeKalb; and fraternity secretary Patrick W. Merrill, 19, of DeKalb;
Additionally, arrest warrants were issued for 17 fraternity members for allegedly providing alcohol to underage pledges and creating a situation where the pledges felt compelled to consume alcohol as part of membership initiation and the Greek parenting process:
Michael J. Phillip, Jr., 20, of Western Springs, IL; Thomas F. Costello, 20, of Munster; David R. Sailor, 20, of Princeton, IL; Alexander D. Renn, 19, of Naperville, Michael A. Marroquin, 20, of Roselle; Estevan A. Diaz, 22, of South Beloit, IL; Michael D. Pfest, 23, of Chicago; Andres Jiminez, Jr., 19, of Glendale Heights; Isaiah Lott, 19, of Cupertino, Calif.; Andrew W. Bouleanu, 21, of Skokie; Nsenzi Salasini, 20, of Mt. Prospect; as well as Hazel A. Vergaralope, 21, of DeKalb; Nicholas A. Sutor, 19, of DeKalb; Nelson A. Irizarry, 19, of DeKalb; Johnny P. Wallace, 20, of DeKalb; Daniel S. Post, 20, of DeKalb; and Russ Coyner, 21, of DeKalb.
Bogenberger’s family, including his parents, Gary and Ruth Bogenberger, issued a statement saying that universities must do more to “stop the hazing and initiation rituals.”
“No other family should endure what we are going through. Yet, we are losing these talented, beautiful and hopeful young people because of illegal drinking unrestrained by maturity and exacerbated by social pressure.
“We are trying to understand the reality of our David’s death. It is almost impossible for us to accept that David is gone at the age of 19; that our future does not include his excitement at learning and growing; becoming a man; marrying and having children; that these events will never happen.
“We appreciate the many condolences and kindnesses that have reached us. We acknowledge and appreciate the diligence of the law enforcement professionals of DeKalb County who have investigated the circumstances of David’s death and who, with the steps taken today, seek accountability for a horrible event.
“But we also must acknowledge the concern we feel for the families of those charged today. The events of Nov. 1 and 2 unalterably changed the course of too many lives. And for what?
“We have no desire for revenge. Rather, we hope that some significant change will come from David’s death. Alcohol poisoning claims far too many young, healthy lives. We must realize that young people can and do die in hazing rituals. Alcohol-involved hazing and initiation must end.”
— Bogenberger family
The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity has temporarily been removed as a recognized student organization at Northern Illinois University. Additional sanctions are possible.