3 Charged After Freshman’s Alcohol Death

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WALHALLA, S.C. (AP)—Three fraternity members at Clemson University were charged with alcohol-related misdemeanors after a freshman died of alcohol poisoning during an off-campus party, a prosecutor said Wednesday.

The students' activities did not directly lead to the death of Benjamin Garrison Sprague, Prosecutor Chrissy Adams said. But the three students, all members of the fraternity Sigma Nu, face charges ranging from transferring beer and liquor to a minor to using fake identification to buy alcohol.

"These boys' activities did not directly lead to Ben's death," Adams said.

Sprague died of alcohol poisoning Dec. 9 at an off-campus Sigma Nu fraternity house. He had a blood-alcohol level of nearly 0.38 percent -- about five times above the legal threshold for driving, Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis has said.

After Sprague's death, the school's Sigma Nu chapter was placed on interim suspension by the university and the national fraternity pending investigations. The suspension means the group cannot hold any meetings or parties.

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