



(To be updated): More of a serious nature. I Started this morning at 4 a.m. to study my theater lines and write. But the death of James Madison University students in a sub-rosa chapter incognito and unsupported by JMU takes full attention. This sad news, if sustained, would mean three more tragedies included in 2023 on the hazing death list. The amount of alcohol served (rushee Josh Mardis), the drunk driving in an official pledge event, the ages and status of the deceased…does meet the definition of hazing. What a nightmare for the families and friends of the dead youth.
By Mason Willett
Published: Jan. 25, 2025 at 2:33 PM AKST|Updated: 14 hours ago
HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – Nearly two years since the death of three students at James Madison University in a car wreck in West Virginia, one of the victim’s parents has filed a lawsuit against the JMU chapter of the Pi Beta Chi fraternity.
The lawsuit claims the actions of the fraternity were hazardous and hazing and drug use led to the deadly car crash. Howard Mardis, father of Joshua Mardis, claims in the lawsuit his son died due to the fraternity’s recklessness. Now he is asking for $150 million in a wrongful death lawsuit against the fraternity and 37 of its members.
The lawsuit said Joshua Mardis, a sophomore at JMU, and potential new member of Pi Beta Chi at the time, was participating in the fraternity’s recruitment event on February 2, 2023, at a West Virginia strip club called Paradise City where he was “rendered unconscious from a hazing and alcohol-fueled rush event”. He was then carried into a vehicle driven by a fraternity member, and was left unbuckled. The vehicle later crashed, killing Joshua and two other JMU students John “Luke” Fergusson and Nicholas Troutman, who were already members of the fraternity.
The lawsuit claimed each car going to and from the event was driven by fraternity members who were labeled as designated drivers. All of the cars were loaded with kegs and other alcohol purchased with fraternity funds. Some fraternity members also brought drugs, which included cannabis and “whippets,” or nitrous oxide inhalants.
Fraternity members also purchased half-gallon bottles of liquor for each rushee, who would be compelled, forced, and pressured to consume throughout the night as part of the rush event. The lawsuit also said that the fraternity member who was supposed to drive Joshua had been seen smoking cannabis and doing whippets in the parking lot of the Paradise City before driving Joshua and the other passengers. He was later charged with three counts of negligent homicide.
The Pi Beta Chi fraternity has not been recognized by JMU for several years after earlier results of dangerous hazing misconduct according to the lawsuit in 2013. The fraternity however has continued to operate at JMU “underground” free of oversight while recruiting and growing their fraternity with students from the school.
Howard Mardis now demands a trial by jury with respect to each of the claims alleged in the lawsuit.
Copyright 2025 WHSV. All rights reserved.
lcohol and whipped cream chargers found in the car that crashed, killing 3 JMU students
According to a fraternity source, 12 to 14 cars filled with fraternity brothers went to the club, and each car had a designated driver who was expected to remain sober and follow the law.
By: Melissa Hipolit
Posted 9:20 AM, Jul 03, 2023 and last updated 9:20 AM, Jul 03, 2023
RICHMOND, Va. — On February 2, 2023, brothers from the Pi Beta Chi fraternity at James Madison University prepared to leave an organized fraternity event at the Paradise City Gentleman’s Club in West Virginia.
According to a fraternity source, 12 to 14 cars filled with fraternity brothers went to the club, and each car had a designated driver who was expected to remain sober and follow the law.
Five of the JMU students got into a black Honda Accord and left the club, located on Route 259, to head back to Harrisonburg just before 10:30 p.m.
According to police, Campbell Fortune, a freshman from Henrico County, was behind the wheel.
On their way back to campus, the car passed a West Virginia Department of Highways employee who told sheriff’s deputies he noticed the car traveling so fast it was a blur. He said the car was crowding the center line so he had to steer away to avoid a collision.
Minutes later, the car crashed head-first into a tree.
The speed at impact, according to investigators, was 95 miles per hour.
Luke Fergusson and Nicholas Troutman, both from Richmond, and Joshua Mardis from Williamsburg, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Joshua Mardis (rushee), John “Luke” Fergusson and Nicholas Troutman (members) .
Provided to WTVR
Joshua Mardis, John “Luke” Fergusson and Nicholas Troutman.
According to records from the Hardy County Sheriff’s Department, deputies noted numerous alcoholic beverage containers within and around the vehicle, along with packaging for whipped cream chargers containing nitrous oxide (NO2).
One of those NO2 canisters was found on the driver’s side dash of the car, as well as a discharging device.
As written by the deputy, “it should be noted that nitrous oxide is a non-controlled intoxicating substance when inhaled.”
Employees at Paradise City found 28 similar canisters inside and outside the business after closing.
When first responders arrived at the scene of the crash, they found Fortune lying beside the vehicle.
When asked what happened, deputies said he responded:
“I don’t know. My life flashed before my eyes and then I woke up just in the car, and then I realized my arm hurt, and I turned around and realized everybody was just, I don’t know.”
Emergency responders transported Fortune to a Winchester Hospital where deputies learned toxicology testing was not performed on him.
In the crash report, deputies checked “driving while impaired” and “driving under the influence of a non-controlled substance” under impairment offenses, but no drug or alcohol tests were ever given to Fortune.
Campbell Fortune faces seven misdemeanor charges, including three counts of negligent homicide, reckless driving with injury, and underage possession of beer.
Fortune’s attorney, John Treadway, said, contrary to what the court documents show, there was a toxicology screen performed at the hospital on Fortune, and it came back negative.
Treadway added the following:
“I think we can show that some of the evidence is different from the criminal complaint, as opposed to what our investigation shows. We have not completely finished our investigation. It’s a very sad incident. This is the process that we have to work through in this case.”
Depend on CBS 6 News and WTVR.com for in-depth coverage of this important local story. Anyone with more informat

Another breaking story from Fox News:
Four members of San Diego State University’s Phi Kappa Psi fraternity are facing felony charges after a skit performed at a party last year led to a pledge being set on fire.
The member set on fire suffered third-degree burns that covered more than 16% of his body as a result of the skit performed on Feb. 17, prosecutors said.
Caden Cooper, 22; Lucas Cowling, 20; Christopher Serrano, 20, and Lars Larsen, 19, were each charged Monday with at least one felony, and all four pleaded not guilty. Larsen was the person set on fire.
The charges include recklessly causing a fire with great bodily injury, conspiracy to commit an act injurious to the public and violating the social host ordinance. If convicted of all charges, the defendants could face seven years in prison.
The firing of NMSU athletic director Mario Moccia for cause:
https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/nmsu-fires-athletic-director-mario-moccia/
NM potential hazing law
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14iqQEdiP-I
The report, titled ‘Title IX and hazing on campus: Lessons learned from New Mexico State University,’ cited “lax oversight and discipline” in NMSU’s student safety programs that “failed to deter” former Aggies players DeShawndre Washington, Doctor Bradley and Kim Aiken Jr. from allegedly sexually assaulting at least four of their former teammates and two student managers. The assaults were initially described by the university as hazing when first reported and ultimately resulted in the shut down the NMSU men’s basketball season in February 2023.
Pro sports hazing
https://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/shaq-allegedly-hazing-defecate-teammate-shoe-20011140.php
“He ratted us out to Jerry West” – Shaq on how Kobe Bryant responded to rookie hazing
Basketball Network
In his book Shaq Uncut: My Story, Shaquille O’Neal revealed that Kobe Bryant ratted out his team to Jerry West while going through rookie hazing.
Danny Santulli is not a hazing death. But his quality of life and likely breadth of life are at risk.
Incidents
Iowa fraternity suspended over hazing allegations
https://www.insidehighered.com › news › 2024/11/22 › i…
Nov 22, 2024 — The University of Iowa suspended its chapter of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity Monday after police discovered 56 blindfolded pledges covered in food.
PSU Pi Delta Psi
St Olaf baseball
20 student organizations on disciplinary statuses this semester – Indiana Daily Student
Indiana Daily Student
IU defines hazing as “any conduct that subjects another person, whether physically, mentally, emotionally or psychologically, to anything that may …
Highlands investigating alleged boys basketball hazing – Sewickley Herald
Sewickley Herald – TribLIVE.com
… hazing allegations. Foster said the missing players were not expected back this season. But he was optimistic Flow would return to the team and …
Press Herald interviews Allan on Lisbon hazing report – UMaine News – University of Maine
The University of Maine … hazing allegations of the Lisbon High School football team. Allan said the reactions from some of the parents are unsurprising. “It’s a really …
|
||||
IU’s Kappa Alpha Psi disbanded | news – Indiana Public Media
Indiana Public Media IU has an anti-hazing policy in its code of conduct. The university defines hazing as anything that could endanger, abuse, degrade or intimidate …
|
Alcohol, not drugs, sickened students at Boulder fraternity, police say – The Denver Post
The Denver Post
Whether CU disciplines students for hazing will be determined by BPD’s investigation, Mueksch said. Smith said he believes a fraternal organization …
Arkansas fraternity shut down for at least 3 years over hazing allegations – MSN MSN The Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity violated rules against hazing and providing alcohol to people under the age of 21, the university found.
|
4 players investigated in hazing probe at Elkmont | Archives | timesdaily.com
Times Daily
ELKMONT – Four Elkmont High School football players are under investigation after accusations that a freshman teammate underwent hazing.
Flag as irrelevant |
Legal
Court hearing set in Canfield hazing lawsuit
Kingfisher Public Schools Cuts 21 Jobs Amid Budget Deficit, $5 Million Hazing Lawsuit Settlement
News 9
As for Myers, the former head coach is charged with child neglect for allegedly allowing hazing and bullying on the football team.
Students: Nixing football sends no-hazing message | National | elkharttruth.com
The Elkhart Truth DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Students at a suburban Philadelphia high school say officials have sent a strong anti-hazing message by canceling the rest … |
Laredo HS update
https://www.kgns.tv/2024/12/17/uisd-board-member-speak-alleged-hazing/
Hazing Report Rocks Girls Hoops Team | | riograndesun.com
Rio Grande Sun
Archuleta told the coach that if her daughter had been hazed or bullied, she would have taken it to a higher level to ensure the two would have been …
Flag as irrelevant |
Marshall
https://www.wsaz.com/2024/10/29/marshall-fraternities-sorority-suspended-amid-hazing-investigation/
Purdue
Purdue fraternity suspended for alcohol, hazing violations | Indiana | elkharttruth.com The Elkhart Truth Purdue University’s Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter has been suspended until 2020 after school officials found the fraternity violated alcohol, hazing and …
|
Ohio State ATO
Hazing on college campuses remains an issue, despite ongoing efforts to combat it – MSN
MSN
Students living in the Alpha Tau Omega, a fraternity at Ohio State University under investigation for alleged hazing, said they were surprised at …
Kenyon: At Dartmouth, 46 years after the release of “Animal House,” not much has changed
Valley News
On Nov. 19, a Tuesday, Hanover police served Dartmouth student-athlete Q. Jones with an …
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity suspended following cease and desist – Indiana Daily Student Indiana Daily Student The fraternity was suspended for dishonest conduct, endangering others, physical abuse and hazing, according to IU’s organizations on disciplinary …
|
University of Arkansas students react to fraternity’s suspension for hazing allegations
KNWA
The University of Arkansas has another fraternity accused of hazing members among other allegations and students are reacting to the news.
Flag as irrelevant | ||||||||
|
||||||||
Hazing on college campuses remains a pervasive issue, despite ongoing efforts to combat it
10tv.com COLUMBUS, Ohio — Students living in the Alpha Tau Omega, a fraternity at Ohio State University under investigation for alleged hazing, …
|
Dartmouth after non-hazing death
Frat suspended, hazing charges sought against students at Dartmouth – Boston.com
Boston.com
A Dartmouth College student and two men are facing charges after another student pledging for Theta Beta Beta Fraternity said he was hazed earlier …
Settlement reached in wrongful death lawsuit filed over VCU student’s hazing death – MSN
MSN
Settlement reached in wrongful death lawsuit filed over VCU student’s hazing death … RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Family members of Adam Oakes, the National …
Flag as irrelevant |
Football coach at Mead fire over hazing | Video – KXLY.com KXLY.com COPYRIGHT 2024 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
|
Settlement reached in wrongful death lawsuit filed over VCU student’s hazing death – WWBT
WWBT
In addition, the …
Flag as irrelevant |