Fresno State Frat Members Reportedly Blocking Alcohol Death Probe

FRESNO (CBS/AP) -- Members of a Fresno State fraternity where a teen drank himself to death are refusing to cooperate with police, according to authorities.

The Fresno Bee cited a search warrant, in which a detective says fraternity members refused to answer questions.

The court document, released Tuesday, indicated that Theta Chi pledges were taken to an off-campus room for initiation on Aug. 31 and told they couldn't leave until they finished several bottles of liquor.

Eighteen-year-old Philip Dhanens passed out and later died. The coroner's office found that he had a blood-alcohol level of .36 -- nearly five times the legal driving limit.

The paper says Theta Chi officials couldn't be reached for comment Tuesday. The fraternity's international headquarters has suspended the Fresno State chapter.

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