Court rules Ohio University not liable in 2018 hazing death

ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) -- A court has ruled in favor of Ohio University in a lawsuit over the 2018 hazing death of a student at an off-campus fraternity house.

The Court of Claims of Ohio said the university could not have foreseen the death of Collin Wiant, thus it could not have prevented it.

Court of Claims Judge Lisa Sadler, in a ruling issued Thursday, wrote that even though Ohio University had an anti-hazing policy in place at the time, there was nothing the university could do to police Wiant's off-campus activities.

Wiant, an 18-year-old freshman from Dublin, died of asphyxiation after ingesting nitrous oxide with members of the Sigma Pi fraternity during the fall of 2018.

The ruling absolves Ohio University of any liability in Wiant's death, and Wiant's estate is being ordered to pay court costs.

Seven former Sigma Pi brothers either pleaded guilty or were convicted of charges in connection with Wiant's death.

Collin's Law was signed in 2021 in response to the case, stating that hazing incidents, especially those involving drugs or alcohol, will be treated as felonies, resulting in serious prison time for offenders.

Ohio University expelled Sigma Pi from campus in 2019.