Parents of LSU fraternity pledge who died during alleged hazing ritual file $25 million lawsuit

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The parents of a Louisiana State University freshman who died of alcohol intoxication after an alleged fraternity hazing ritual have filed a $25 million federal lawsuit against the university board, the fraternity and several of the fraternity's members.

Stephen and Rae Ann Gruver's lawsuit on behalf of their son, Maxwell Gruver, of Roswell, Georgia, was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge. Defendants include Phi Delta Theta fraternity and four students already facing criminal charges in the 18-year-old Gruver's death last September.

► Drinking game may have preceded LSU fraternity pledge's death

► LSU student death being investigated as possible fraternity hazing incident

► LSU frat brothers charged with hazing in local teen's death

► Autopsy: LSU student had 'highly elevated blood alcohol level'

The suit alleges that LSU responds with "deliberate indifference" to allegations of hazing at fraternities. It also says Phi Delta has "a long history of dangerous misconduct at universities across the country."

Neither the university nor a fraternity official immediately responded Thursday to emailed requests for comment.

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