Fullerton, CA — An 18-year-old Cal State Fullerton student died after attending a fraternity event at the college, with police saying alcohol consumption appears to have contributed to his death.
Anthony Joseph Blas was taken to the emergency department at St. Jude Medical Center shortly after midnight Saturday, according to the Fullerton Police Department. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Police said Blas had been attending an event hosted by an unaffiliated fraternity before he was brought to the medical center. The circumstances surrounding what happened before he arrived at the hospital remain under investigation.
Police say alcohol may have played a role
Investigators said their preliminary findings pointed toward alcohol as a possible factor in the teenager’s death.
According to Fullerton police, “alcohol consumption appears to have been a contributing factor in the male’s death.”
Authorities also addressed whether the event involved hazing, an issue that can become a major concern when a college student becomes seriously ill or dies following a fraternity gathering.
Police said hazing was not a factor in Blas’ death.
Investigators also said there was no evidence of foul play at this stage of the investigation.
Despite those findings, authorities said the case remains open as they continue working to establish the full circumstances surrounding the student’s death.
Blas had only recently started his college journey
The tragedy came just as Blas was beginning what was expected to be an important new chapter in his life. Blas had recently graduated from Los Altos High School, where his accomplishments and college plans had been celebrated in May.
The school highlighted an impressive list of universities that had accepted him, showing the range of opportunities available to the graduating senior.
Among the schools that accepted Blas were Cal State Fullerton, Cal Poly Pomona, Sacramento State, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Arizona and Michigan State University.
He had also received acceptances from the University of Oregon, Northern Arizona University, Oregon State University, Arizona State University, the University of Nevada, Reno, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Whittier College, Cal Lutheran, University of La Verne, Utah State, Utah Tech and the University of Utah, according to the school.
Blas ultimately planned to attend Cal State Fullerton in the fall.
Investigation continues after student’s death
Blas’ death has now prompted an ongoing investigation by Fullerton police as authorities work to determine exactly what occurred during and after the fraternity event.
Police have indicated that the event was connected to an unaffiliated fraternity, while also saying that investigators found no evidence that hazing contributed to the death.
The finding that alcohol may have played a role does not by itself explain all of the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death. Investigators will continue examining the events leading up to his arrival at St. Jude Medical Center.
For a young man who had only recently graduated high school and was preparing to begin college, the death came at the very start of what should have been a new chapter.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional information could emerge as authorities continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the case.
What are your thoughts on this tragic loss involving a student who had only just begun his college journey? Share your thoughts in the comments.
