by KYW's Jim Melwert
A freshman fraternity pledge at the University of Delaware died early Sunday morning, and a preliminary investigation showed alcohol poisoning to be the cause of death.
Authorities got a 911 call from 28 Annabelle Street in Newark, DE at 2:52am.
When emergency crews arrived on scene, they found 18-year-old freshman Brett Griffin in cardiac arrest. Griffin was pronounced dead a short time later at Christiana Hospital.
Newark Police Lt. Brian Henry said several members of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity lived in the off-campus house and Griffin was a pledge of the fraternity:
"There was a fraternity function going on involving pledges and fraternity brothers and it's estimated there were about 40 people in the house."
Henry said it's unclear exactly what was going on in the house at the time of Griffin's death.
Griffin was from Kendall Park in Middlesex County, New Jersey.
Officials at the University of Delaware have a released a statement extending sympathies to Griffin's family. They said the universty is cooperating fully with the police investigation. Counselors will be available on campus to offer support to students and staff.
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