ARLINGTON (WBAP/KLIF)- A former University of Texas at Arlington student is suing a fraternity $1 million for hazing him.
The lawsuit alleges that in order for Roc Riner to be accepted into UTA’s Sigma Chi Fraternity he was forced to drink beer and liquor, blindfolded, in such amounts for him to suffer alcohol poisoning and be sent to ICU with a blood alcohol level almost 6x the legal limit.
Turley Law Firm Attorney, T Nguyen, who represents Riner said it was his first semester and after the alleged incident he withdrew from UTA because of medical reasons.
“When you have organizations and officers in organizations being allowed to conduct themselves so wrongfully against a student who just wanted to belong, it’s outrageous and it needs to be addressed,” said Nguyen.
Nguyen said this isn’t the first incident with UTA’s Sigma Chi Fraternity. “In 2013, this fraternity was suspended and put on probation for alcohol abuse. But here Sigma Chi is again in 2019 doing the same thing. There is a systematic problem with this Greek organization that preys on student pledges who want to belong but are put in jeopardy to belong,” she said.
A week after the alleged incident UTA president suspended all Greek life at the school citing cases of hazing, sexual assault extreme intoxication and more.
A trial date has not yet been set.