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UC Berkeley Fraternity Sued Over Student’s Death After Alleged Drowning at Overcrowded Party

The suit centers on alleged unsafe pool conditions created by an over-capacity party.

Overview

  • George Mauricio Salinas, 19, was found unresponsive outside the chapter’s backyard pool on Nov. 14 and died three days later at Highland Hospital.
  • His parents filed a wrongful-death suit in Alameda County Superior Court naming the UC Berkeley chapter, the national fraternity and up to 50 unidentified individuals.
  • The complaint alleges attendance topped 300 despite a 200-person permit, no lifeguard or sober monitor was present, and pool hazards impeded visibility and footing.
  • City officials cited the house for permit and fire code violations, and police described conditions consistent with overcrowding and heavy alcohol consumption.
  • The county coroner has not released a final cause of death, and the fraternity says it suspended the Cal chapter following the initial reports.