HOUSTON (AP) - Proceeds from a $4.2 million settlement of a
lawsuit against a fraternity will be used to educate fraternity and
sorority members about the dangers of binge drinking.
The family of a University of Texas student -- Jack Phoummarath
-- who died of alcohol poisoning after a
fraternity binge-drinking party announced the settlement yesterday.
The 18-year-old's body was found in 2005 in a garage apartment
near a fraternity house. His family sued the Lambda Phi Epsilon
national and Austin chapters and some individual members.
The Houston Chronicle reported that his sister Marion said the
family wanted to develop the video to prevent other deaths.
Together with UT officials, the family is also establishing an
$8,000 to $10,000 annual scholarship in Phoummarath's memory.
Scholarship recipients will be required to attend a binge-drinking
awareness program.
Three officers of the fraternity received probation after a
criminal investigation into Phoummarath's death.