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Ohio University expels fraternity over hazing after student's death

A lawsuit alleges Collin Wiant died of asphyxiation after ingesting nitrous oxide.
Credit: WKYC

ATHENS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio University says it has expelled a fraternity for hazing, alcohol and drug use, and other student conduct code violations after the alleged hazing of an 18-year-old freshman who died in November.

The school disclosed Tuesday that the Sigma Pi fraternity was booted after witnesses told a hearing board about troubling behavior that jeopardized students' safety.

A lawsuit by Collin Wiant's family alleges he died of asphyxiation after ingesting nitrous oxide provided to and forced on him by fraternity members.

RELATED | Wrongful death lawsuit filed against Ohio University fraternity

Sigma Pi denied those allegations and said Wiant wasn't a pledge when he died. It says the teen from Dublin in suburban Columbus was removed from the pledging process weeks earlier because of a sexual-assault allegation.

But his family's attorney has argued there is evidence that Wiant remained a pledge.

MORE | Frat denies hazing claims in lawsuit over student's death

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