Two Dartmouth students and sorority members face charges in connection with July drowning

This story by John Lippman first published November 23 on Valley News.

HANOVER — Two Dartmouth College students and a Greek organization have been charged with supplying alcohol to a 20-year-old Dartmouth student who drowned in the Connecticut River following a party at a college sorority in July.

Matthew Catrambone and Samuel Terry, both members of the Beta Alpha Omega fraternity, were charged with a single misdemeanor count of furnishing alcohol to a person under the age of 21 and were issued summonses to appear in Lebanon District Court, according to a news release. He was released by Hanover police on Friday afternoon.

They are charged in the drowning death of Class of 2026 sophomore Won Jang. found on July 7 at the Connecticut River following a social event between fraternity and Alpha Phi sorority members.

Additionally, a lawsuit was filed against the Alpha Phi sorority for a misdemeanor violation of opening a house where minors consumed alcohol, the news release said.

Jang, a biomedical engineering student who was valedictorian of her high school in Delaware, attended a party at an off-campus apartment building rented to Alpha Phi sorority members, according to Hanover police.

Police said the majority of the partygoers, including Jang, were under the age of 21 and drank alcoholic beverages purchased and provided by members of the Beta Alpha Omega fraternity who were over 21 years old.

As the party neared its end, several of the attendees “spontaneously decided” to swim in the river from the boat launch near the Ledyard Bridge.

According to the press release, while the students were swimming, “a heavy rainstorm hit the area,” causing the students to quickly exit the water and disperse.

However, no one noticed that Jang, who police confirmed did not know how to swim, was missing.

Jang was last seen near the dock around 9.30pm. When he did not come to the engagement the next day, the police were contacted and a search was started in the river where his body was found.

The autopsy report prepared by the NH Chief Medical Examiner’s Office determined Jang’s cause of death was asphyxiation. The toxicology report revealed his blood alcohol level was 0.167, more than twice the legal limit for drinking age.

Two days after Jang’s death Dartmouth suspends both Alpha Phi and Beta Alpha Omega – both Greek establishments were subject to alcohol control due to previous incidents – and an internal investigation was launched.

The suspensions will remain in effect pending the outcome of Dartmouth’s ongoing internal investigation and enforcement process, Dartmouth spokeswoman Jana Barnello said in an emailed statement Friday.

“Dartmouth has long valued the contributions that Greek organizations bring to the student experience when they operate within their stated values ​​and standards,” Barnello said. “These organizations, as well as all Dartmouth students and community members, have a responsibility to ensure that Dartmouth remains a safe, respectful, equitable and inclusive community for students, faculty and staff.”

He said federal law prohibits the university from discussing “individual disciplinary matters.”

Three months before Jang drowned, the body of a 26-year-old graduate student who reportedly suffered a mental health crisis was found in the river near Windsor.

Dartmouth administrators sent out a student-wide email Thursday night acknowledging the “tragic student deaths at the river.”

The message announced several new initiatives focused on mental health and enhanced wellness programs for students. Among the efforts were “free swimming lessons”.

Additionally, Dartmouth said it has strengthened riverside safety patrols “especially at night” and “improved lighting and signage around swimming piers.”

Dartmouth also said it would increase “mandatory water safety training” for all incoming students, hire a director of Greek Life and Student Societies, review its Alcohol Management Program “to ensure it is effective and reflects the reality of today’s student experiences,” and “prevent risky behavior on campus.” expand their efforts.