Family Of Berkeley Student Who Drowned At Party Sues Fraternity: Report

BERKELEY, CA — The family of a UC Berkeley student who drowned at a party in November has filed a lawsuit against the fraternity that hosted the event, according to a report by SFGate.

The lawsuit, which also names UC Berkeley and the Alpha Delta Phi chapter's national headquarters, accuses the fraternity of negligence in the death of 19-year-old George Mauricio Salinas, according to the report.

The lawsuit says the event violated city permit codes and that there were no lifeguards, sober monitors or safety coordinators, according to the report.

Salinas attended a large party hosted by Alpha Delta Phi on Friday, Nov. 14, according to authorities.

The Berkeley Police Department said it appears the 19-year-old, along with other underage people, had been drinking at the party.

Officers were called just before 11:30 p.m. to the frat house in the 2400 block of Prospect Street, where they found Salinas unresponsive in the pool, authorities said.

Salinas was taken to a local hospital, where he died three days later, police said. Salinas' official cause of death has yet to be revealed; however, police said no foul play is suspected.

Around 300 people attended the event, exceeding the city of Berkeley's 200-person limit for indoor entertainment events, police said. The fraternity was issued a citation for the violation, along with another for having a loud and unruly gathering, which was deemed a public nuisance, police said.

The fraternity chapter was suspended following the party, and the fraternity safety coordinator is being accused of providing alcohol to minors. Police say they've sent the case against the coordinator to the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, although it's unclear whether any charges have been filed.

Read more by SFGate.