Police say six Penn State Altoona fraternity members are facing charges in connection to an alleged DUI crash that claimed the life of a 17-year-old high school student.
Authorities say 19-year-old Jared Detwiler and 17-year-old Lundyn Treese reportedly attended a party, at the Sigma Pi Fraternity House, just hours before the deadly crash in late October.
According to the affidavit, police allege that the fraternity, which is reportedly not recognized by the university, had a “history” of providing alcohol to underage party goers, including many high schoolers.
Despite claims that the fraternity does not supply alcohol to party goers nor encourages them to bring their own, police say fraternity members Andrew Demitis, Luke O’Shaughnessy, Alex Martinez, Grant Elder, Mason Wolfe and Omar Seiam are each facing misdemeanor charges related to providing alcohol to minors.
According to a witness and fellow party goer, police say Treese allegedly consumed several drinks, including shots of liquor, on the night of the party.
Upon further investigation, police learned that it was fraternity policy to check IDs at the door and only allow college students to enter the house.
However, police allege that the party’s “doorman,” identified as Elder, reportedly ignored that policy on the night in question.
Authorities say another witness and fellow party goer also admitted to sneaking Treese and a friend into the party, which was reportedly a common occurrence.
According to the criminal complaints, following the fatal crash, police seized the fraternity members’ phones, where they allegedly discovered multiple social media group chats discussing the party and the deadly crash.
Police say in one of the group chats, Wolfe allegedly stated, “everyone knows that girl was at our party.”
In a separate group chat, police say someone made the comment, “this is why you can’t let in high schoolers.”
Police say officers also discovered numerous photos and videos of the party, as well as past parties.
Authorities say that in one of the prior videos, multiple fraternity members are shown standing around an unknown female, who is reportedly passed out on the couch, as the caption on the video reads, “Should we rape her?”
Police also noted that during the 2024 fall semester, 911 call logs show that Logan Township police were dispatched to the fraternity house at least seven times for reports of underage drinking parties.
Investigators allege that, according to the comments in the group chats, the fraternity members “do not care about the safety of their party goers nor did they make any attempts to prevent underage drinking.”
Online court records show that all six men have preliminary hearings scheduled for April 10th.
As for Detwiler, he is awaiting his next court date after being formally arraigned last month.
Police allege that he had a blood alcohol content over 2.5 times the legal limit when he crashed along the 10th Ave. Expressway in Altoona, during the early morning hours of Oct. 27 of last year.
Authorities say Treese was ejected from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene.