A 19-year-old VCU student has died of alcohol poisoning two years ago. Now his family is suing Delta Chi and seeks nearly $30 million
RICHMOND, Va. – The Richmond-Times Dispatch revealed that the family of a Virginia Commonwealth University student who was hazed is suing Delta Chi for $28 million.
Adam Oakes, a former VCU student who was 19 years old, died of alcohol poisoning in February 2021. At a Delta Chi initiation party, he was told to drink a large bottle of whiskey.
Courtney White, Oakes’s cousin, filed a wrongful death suit against Delta Chi Fraternity Inc., Delta Chi Educational Foundation, and the VCU chapter of Delta Chi on Monday in Richmond Circuit Court.
After the tragedy, the young man’s family and VCU reached a settlement in September 2022. VCU agreed to pay the family nearly $1 million and make changes to fraternity and sorority life. The local Delta Chi group was also dissolved for good.
Six of the 11 former Delta Chi members who were charged in connection with Oakes’ death were found guilty or pleaded guilty to misdemeanor hazing or giving alcohol to a minor.
