Student's death leads to suspensions

LOGAN — A Utah State University student's blood-alcohol content was more than four times the legal limit for driving when he died over the weekend, police said.

Michael Starks, 18, had a blood-alcohol content greater than 0.35, police said Tuesday, as they continued to piece together the events that led to the fraternity pledge's death.

"This is a very complicated case with dozens of people involved," a statement from the Logan Police Department said. "We are taking the case very seriously and are taking the time to conduct a thorough, fair, accurate and complete investigation."

Starks' death prompted USU President Stan L. Albrecht to indefinitely suspend the Sigma Nu Fraternity and Chi Omega Sorority as student organizations at the school. According to a statement released by Albrecht Tuesday, he has also asked the university's attorney to conduct an investigation and initiate appropriate action in accordance with the USU student code of conduct, which specifically prohibits hazing of or by USU students.

Starks, a Judge Memorial graduate, spent time last Thursday night at an off-campus house near 200 West and 200 North, where fraternity and sorority members had been drinking, police said.

The pledge then returned to the Sigma Nu house to go to sleep.

A member of the fraternity called police around 4 a.m. Starks was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

— Aaron Falk