He Fell During a Frat Party; 12 Hours Later, a Call for Help

Timothy Piazza fell down a set of stairs at his Penn State fraternity around 11pm Thursday in the midst of a party. A call for help came 12 hours later. Paramedics found Piazza, 19, unresponsive when they arrived at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity Friday morning. He was pronounced dead at a hospital on Saturday and a coroner determined his death was accidental, citing numerous injuries suffered in the fall, reports Fox 43. But an investigation has raised questions about whether Piazza might still be alive if help had come sooner. CBS News reports Piazza, who was intoxicated, fell down basement stairs but was found on a couch on the main level of the home by paramedics.

Party guests "knew he fell at 11" but "they didn't report it until 10:49 the following morning, hence why we're investigating," a rep for the State College Police Department tells the Washington Post. "Alcohol was obviously a factor in this and we are also looking into why it took so long to call," he added, per NorthJersey.com. Piazza's father has said the accident happened during a "fraternity pledge/hazing event," without elaborating. Beta Theta Pi has been temporarily suspended while the investigation continues. In a statement, the frat says it is "fully cooperating with police and Penn State administrators." The Centre Daily Times reports the fraternity has also provided video footage, which police are now reviewing. (More Penn State stories.)