Penn State Student Dies After Falling Down Fraternity House's Stairs; Paramedics Called Only 12 Hours After

A Pennsylvania State University student died last week after he fell down the stairs of the basement of a fraternity house. Authorities said the student fell at around 11 p.m. but paramedics were called around 10:49 am. the next day making them question why medical assistance was called only 12 hours after the fall.

Washington Post reported Tim Piazza was taken to a medical facility but later died. Investigators are trying to determine what took place in the nearly 12-hour difference from the fall of the student and the emergency call being made.

Officers were told Piazza attended a party at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and the other party-goers knew he fell. Piazza was not yet a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, but accepted an invitation to join the brotherhood.

The fraternity members said Piazza was intoxicated when he fell down the basement stairs. They did not offer other information surrounding the incident, but authorities said he was unconscious when paramedics came to the fraternity house. He was taken to a second medical facility and was pronounced dead on Saturday.

The fraternity members are said to be cooperating with authorities and that a video from inside the fraternity house was being reviewed. Authorities are still trying to figure out for how long the student had been unconscious. The fraternity chapter involved in the incident was placed on a temporary cease and desist, meaning they cannot host or participate in fraternity-related activities, New York Daily News.

Lt. Keith Robb of the State College Police Department said they are still investigating as to whether Piazza was moved or if the party continued after he fell. Sources said, however, Piazza was found by authorities lying on the couch and not in the basement.

He said more information will be released once the investigation is completed. An autopsy was conducted as of Tuesday this week but no details about the results were released yet.