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The Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at the University of Kentucky has had its charter revoked following a deadly accident involving one of their pledges.
On Saturday, September 15, 18-year-old Jacob Heil — an Alpha Tau Omega pledge at UK — was arrested for driving under the influence around 2 p.m. after he hit and killed a 4-year-old boy.
According to reports, Heil allegedly hit a 4-year-old who was walking with his dad on Cooper Drive in Lexington during the university’s football game against Murray State on September 15. The 4-year-old tragically then passed away on Monday, September 17.
Following the tragic accident, the University of Kentucky temporarily suspended the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity before the National Fraternity Alpha Tau Omega announced it was closing the University of Kentucky chapter on Wednesday, September 19.
via WKYT:
18-year-old Jacob Heil was a pledge of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity when he was arrested Saturday and charged with DUI, after police say his vehicle hit four-year-old Marco Shemwell along Cooper Drive.
After the incident, Heil told officers he had just left a tailgate where he consumed two beers before getting behind the wheel. Earlier this week, the university suspended Heil along with Alpha Tau Omega pending investigation.
However, Alpha Tau Omega’s suspension was short lived as the fraternity’s national office revoked the chapter’s official charter Wednesday. The national office said violations to their health and safety policy highlighted in their own investigation led to the chapter’s closure.
The university is still moving on with their own investigation, as a hearing was held for members of the fraternity.
The national Alpha Tau Omega national organization released the following statement:
“Following an investigation conducted by the National Fraternity Alpha Tau Omega has revoked the charter of the University of Kentucky Mu Iota chapter. Violations of the Fraternity’s Health and Safety policy prompted the decision. The chapter is closed and ATO no longer has a presence on campus.”
Heil has entered a not guilty plea for his DUI charge.
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