Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, August 26, 2013
(BLOOMINGTON) - 19-year-old IU freshman Rachael Fiege, was taken off of life support and pronounced dead Saturday morning at IU Health Bloomington Hospital after suffering injuries from falling down a staircase early Friday morning.
Fiege's parents and doctors determined she had no brain activity at about 3:30 p.m. Friday, according to Associate Vice President of IU Communications Mark Land.
Fiege was placed on life support, and an organ donation process was initiated soon after.
Fiege's death was announced by Dean of Students Pete Goldsmith Saturday morning.
IU Police Department Interim Chief Laury Flint says, officials have yet to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.
Fiege was found unresponsive Friday morning between 1 and 2 a.m. at the bottom of a staircase at a house on the 800 block of North Park Avenue. The student that found hre called police at 7:48 a.m., and Fiege, who was unresponsive, was transported to the hospital by ambulance.
Fiege, of Zionsville, was a pre-nursing major living in Wright Quad. She was at a party when she fell down the stairs. Flint says other student's discovered her right after the fall, but didn't call police or request an ambulance until several hours later believing her injuries were not serious.
A blood alcohol test was given to Fiege, but those results are still pending.
Although the house on North Park Avenue is not owned by IU, IUPD responded to the incident because the house is close to campus. IUPD has interviewed other students present at the home during the party. No criminal charges have been filed.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.