A 19-year-old Baruch College freshman died from “too many” tackles during a fraternity hazing over the weekend in the Poconos, a Pennnsylvania prosecutor said Wednesday.
Chun Hsien “Michael” Deng was one of four pledges to his college chapter of Pi Delta Psi who took part in what was described as a hazing ritual in a yard outside a home in Tunkhannock Township, authorities said.
Deng suffered a head injury Sunday morning and was taken inside the home, officials said. When he didn’t recover “after some time,” he was driven to the emergency room at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Hospital in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday morning, where he was unresponsive and listed in critical condition.
He was placed on life support but died Monday of what was described as “major brain trauma.”
“He got tackled too many times,” said Monroe County District Attorney E. David Christine without elaboration.
About 30 members of the fraternity were taking part in the weekend getaway. Investigators found 20 Pi Delta Psi members at the home when they arrived and are trying to identify who was responsible for the fatal injuries, Christine said.
Pi Delta Psi identifies itself as “an Asian American cultural fraternity” founded in 1994, with a mission “to spread Asian American cultural awareness.” It has more than 20 chapters in 11 states and the District of Columbia.
Efforts to contact Pi Delta Psi officials for comment Wednesday were unsuccessful.
Baruch College, a unit of the City University, said preliminary reports indicate that Deng died in “an unsanctioned fraternity-pledging event.”
The school said it was cooperating with investigators but added that the college “had no knowledge of this event or that the fraternity was rushing a pledge class. Pi Delta Psi did not request permission nor were they approved by Baruch on this matter.
“Baruch College has a zero-tolerance policy regarding hazing,” the college said.
All campus fraternities and sororities are required to attend an annual orientation and training session “which includes anti-hazing training and literature,” the college said. Those who attend the session are required to sign statements that they will abide by the college’s policies regarding organizing a pledge class and ¬“anti-hazing protocols.”
“Michael’s death is a deeply painful reminder that no individual should ever be put into a position where his or her personal safety is in jeopardy,” Baruch said.