University of Missouri frat suspended over 2nd hazing report

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The University of Missouri is investigating a report of hazing involving excessive alcohol at a fraternity that had been disciplined earlier this semester for another alcohol-related hazing incident, a university spokesman said.

The Kappa Alpha fraternity already was on probation through the end of the fall semester when the university temporarily suspended it Monday while looking into allegations of hazing another pledge with alcohol, university spokesman Christian Basi told The Columbia Daily Tribune.

Basi said he could not provide additional details about the nature of the second incident during the investigation, but in a Kappa Alpha Order incident report, chapter president Jacob Lee wrote the student had been in a vodka-chugging contest with other pledges.

Lynn and Mike Zingale said the latest incident involved their 18-year-old son, who she said was hospitalized a week ago and placed into a medication-induced coma for two days to allow the alcohol to leave his system. She said his blood alcohol content at the time was 0.45 percent, which is more than five times the legal limit for driving.

"What we are trying to do is get people a vision of what we are feeling as parents," Lynn Zingale said.

Jesse Lyons, assistant executive director for advancement at Kappa Alpha's national office, said it's also investigating the incident.

"Kappa Alpha Order continues to send our thoughts to the young man and his family," Lyons wrote, saying later, "there are still more questions than answers. When the investigation is concluded, we will then act based on the facts."

Information from: Columbia Daily Tribune, http://www.columbiatribune.com