A Westminster College student was seriously injured early yesterday after he fell from the porch roof at an off-campus fraternity house and landed on his head, authorities said.
Matthew A. Rotunno, 20, of Albuquerque, N.M., suffered head and other injuries at 3:10 a.m. after he rolled off the porch roof at the back of the Alpha Sigma Phi house at 129 Waugh Ave., New Wilmington police said. Rotunno, who is a sophomore and member of the fraternity, fell about 15 feet, landing on his face and head in the lawn below, police said.
Rotunno and two other members of the fraternity had been sitting on chairs and talking on the roof when Rotunno appeared to fall asleep or pass out, police said.
He was flown by medical helicopter to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio, where he was to undergo surgery. He was listed in critical condition, but friends and a college chaplain who visited the hospital yesterday said he was conscious and able to speak and move, said John Lechner, Westminster's assistant dean of student affairs and public safety.
Police and college officials have determined that Rotunno was drinking alcohol before he fell, and are investigating to determine if alcohol contributed to the accident and who supplied it, Lechner said.
Westminster College fraternity member hurt in fall
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