PVAM Student's Family Sue Fraternity

The family of a Prairie View A&M University pledge wants a fraternity to pay them $97 million. They say Donnie Wade, Jr.'s death was the result of brutal and reckless hazing by Phi Beta Sigma.

The organization has said in a statement hazing does not represent the fraternity's principles. The lawsuit also names among its defendants the university. A Prairie View A&M inquiry into Wade's death continues, as does an investigation by the Hempstead Police Department.

The family's attorneys in Dallas hired a private investigator who determined the hazing intensified over a three week period beginning in September and lasting until Wade's death on October 20th.

During an early morning workout on a high school track, Wade collapsed and later died.

"What happened to my son was inhumane. I wouldn't have treated a dog like that," said Donnie Wade, Sr., the victim's father.

In a nearly 30 page lawsuit, the family alleges rigorous exercise was just a part of a series of hazing rituals fraternity leaders forced upon Wade. They claim he also had to abide by a strict bread and water diet and endure beatings with paddles.

No one called 911 when Wade appeared to pass out after running around the track, climbing bleachers and doing other exercises.

"An innocent bystander approached these gentlemen and offered to call an ambulance for Donnie. Unfortunately the guy who headed Phi Beta Sigma, their dean of pledging, turned away his assistance and required Donnie to continue working out, and we all know what happened next," said Kevin Kelley, a Wade family attorney.

Wade's death follows a push by a Houston family to raise awareness about the dangers of hazing. The Phoumarrath family used part of its four million dollar judgement in a hazing case to produce a graphic video for universities. Jack Phoumarrath was a University of Texas college freshman when he drank himself to death during a night of hazing.

"During some of these presentations we've seen people cry," said Chelsie King Garza, an attorney who represented the Phoumarrath family.

She says the website, www.inmemoryofjack.com, averages between 4,500 and 8,000 hits a month. Students from across the country have seen the video and sent in their responses.

One writes, "This video is very sad and makes me angry."

Another says, "Deaths by hazing can occur when you least expect it."

A third writes, "I feel like more people need to be aware of this."

King Garza says, "If we're still having deaths across the country we need to be doing more. Now we're starting to focus on the consequences. What's going to happen afterward? Is this going to follow you the rest of your life? Are you going to be involved in litigation? What is the impact on families?"

Next year, a scholarship in Jack Phoumarrath's name will be given to a sophomore student at UT who demonstrates a desire to further the anti hazing message.

-- Read Lawsuit Filed After Donnie Wade's Death
-- Visit Phanta Jack Phoummarath's Page:http://inmemoryofjack.com/