Three fraternity brothers have been charged in the frat house drinking death of Bakersfield resident Philip Dhanens last year. Dhanens, an 18-year-old Garces High School graduate, died of alcohol poisoning Aug. 31, 2012 after drinking at the Theta Chi fraternity house.
The three – Leonard Louis Serrato, 28, Aaron Joseph Raymo, 24, and Daniel Woodard Baker, 22 – face jail sentences of up to six months, and fines up to $5,000.
They were charged with hazing and providing alcohol to a person under the age of 21.
"While these defendants have no prior criminal history and the evidence does not show that they intended for Mr. Dhanens to die, their actions led to deadly results requiring criminal intervention to hold them accountable," said Fresno County District Attorney Elizabeth A. Egan.
Egan said that 82 percent of all deaths that result from hazing are due to alcohol poisoning.
No charges were brought against other members of Theta Chi.
The local fraternity was closed after the incident.
Toxicology reports say Dhanens had a blood alcohol of 0.40 – a deadly concentration that is five times the legal limit for driving.
