Last week, a 19-year old San Diego State University freshman died after an event at one of the school's fraternities. Dylan Hernandez was found in his bed without a pulse Thursday morning.The county medical examiner's officer reported that he was gravely injured when he fell from his bunk bed. But how could a student who had been seen laughing and hanging out with his friends just hours earlier have come to such a tragic end?
Last Thursday night, Hernandez went to bed. Investigators say that sometime after he fell asleep, he fell from his top bunk, suffering unspecified injuries. His roommate then helped him back into bed, where he was found not breathing, hours later.
Dylan Hernandez had reportedly attended a fraternity event the night before he was found.Several students reported that Hernandez had been drinking heavily at the party. Student Piper Grant said that "You could tell he like over partied, like, more than usual. So everyone's like, 'Whoa, just make sure he's like okay.'" It's unclear if alcohol had a part in his untimely death but the question will be answered when toxicology tests are completed.
He had been pledging to Phi Gamma Delta. This particular organization had been placed on probation in 2017 due to being found "in violations of regulations pertaining to alcohol at off-campus fraternity events" as reported by the daily Aztec, the school's newspaper The university has taken this tragedy very seriously, having suspended all activities by its Interfraternity Council on Friday after Hernandez was hospitalized. The suspension impacts over 1,400 members, but does not affect the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the College Panhellenic Association, or the United Sorority and Fraternity Council and the chapters associated with these organizations.
Students of SDSU have had their concerns about Greek life and the alcohol violations across campus. Natalie Friedrichsen, a San Diego State University alumnus, spoke about how excessive drinking is "like the party culture… They just kind of get used to it and then [the students] don't think cause like, they're having a good time." Gwenyth Crisie, another student, said that she hopes the suspension of the fraternities leads to the university taking action on the issue. "We've seen alcohol abuse on this campus… so hopefully, this will create a healthier environment for the school."
San Diego State University is in mourning of Dylan Hernandez. Tributes were pouring for the student and his family with students showering the family with support in their difficult time.
