Parents Sue Delta Chi Fraternity After Son’s Drowning

News Summary

The parents of Garrett Walker, a University of Alabama student, are suing Delta Chi Fraternity after their son’s tragic drowning. Walker, 20, drowned in the Black Warrior River following a hazing-related incident and alleged underage drinking at a local bar. The lawsuit claims Delta Chi failed in its duty to protect him and seeks accountability for the circumstances leading to his death. The Walkers have also established a foundation in his memory, aiming to promote kindness and responsible fraternity culture.

Parents of UA Student Sue Delta Chi Fraternity Following Son’s Tragic Drowning

In a heartbreaking turn of events, the parents of Garrett Walker, a 20-year-old junior at the University of Alabama, have taken legal action against Delta Chi Fraternity. This comes after Walker tragically drowned in the Black Warrior River back in November 2021. Walker, who was studying Aerospace Engineering, was found submerged 34 feet below the water’s surface two days after he went missing. His disappearance occurred on November 7, 2021, and authorities later ruled his death as accidental, noting a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of a staggering .212.

The family’s legal journey began when Andrew and Debbie Walker filed a civil suit against The Gray Lady, a local bar, for serving their son alcohol while he was both visibly intoxicated and underage. Recently, the Walkers have amended their suit, now bringing the national organization of Delta Chi into the mix, although they did not include the Alabama chapter as a defendant.

Details of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit alleges that the Delta Chi Fraternity failed to protect Walker and others during a hazing incident that led to a “no contact” order against him. Shockingly, Walker was not even involved in the hazing allegations, yet he was still affected. This situation reportedly caused Walker to feel alienated from his fraternity brothers, leading him to seek solace elsewhere.

On November 6, 2021, Garrett attended a football game with his fraternity mates. Unfortunately, following the game, he and others were barred from entering the fraternity house and made their way to The Gray Lady instead. Surveillance footage allegedly showed employees serving alcohol to underage individuals, including Walker. The last sighting of him was shortly after 1:07 AM on November 7, as he left the bar and headed towards the nearby river.

The Call for Accountability

According to the lawsuit, Delta Chi International has not reached out to the Walker family after the loss of their son, in stark contrast to their response following a similar incident that took place in March 2024 involving another fraternity member. The Walkers are not only seeking compensatory and punitive damages but also a commitment from Delta Chi to implement significant changes aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.

Walker’s family wants nothing more than to hold Delta Chi accountable and demand a sincere apology for their perceived role in their son’s untimely death. They argue that if the fraternity had conducted a proper investigation into the hazing claims, they would have known that Walker had no part in it, potentially altering the course of the tragic events that unfolded.

Continuing Garrett’s Legacy

In memory of their son, the Walkers have established the Garrett Walker Joshua 1:9 Foundation, a charitable initiative committed to honoring Garrett’s legacy of kindness and service. Through this foundation, they hope to inspire others and raise awareness about the importance of responsible actions and accountability in fraternity culture.

This tragic story not only highlights the devastating effects of hazing and underage drinking but also raises critical questions about the responsibilities organizations like fraternities bear for their members. As the legal battle unfolds, the Walker family remains steadfast in their quest for justice and aims to ensure that no other families have to endure a loss like theirs.

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Additional Resources

• Tuscaloosa Thread
• ABC 33/40
• AL.com
• WVUA 23
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Fraternity