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Last updated on Wednesday, August 28, 2013
(BLOOMINGTON) - The death of a 19-year-old Indiana University Bloomington freshman raises questions about whether a newly-passed law aimed at encouraging minors to seek medical attention for their intoxicated friends is fulfilling its goal.
Gretchen Frazee of WFIU reports that Zionsville native Rachael Fiege died Saturday after falling down a flight of stairs at an off-campus house Friday.
According to police, officers were called to the house on North Park Avenue just before 8 a.m. Friday to find Fiege unconscious and not breathing.
Fiege's friends waited about six hours after she fell before calling police, but police officials do not expect charges to be filed.
Interim Chief Laury Flint says the incident was an accident. Flint says it is unclear if alcohol was involved, but there alcohol in the house.
A toxicology report is pending. Flint says Fiege's friends were aware of the life-line laws that would have allowed them to call emergency services without fear of arrest.
She believes they did not call for help because they did not realize the extent of Fiege's injuries.
The Indiana Lifeline Law, which went into effect last year, allows minors to seek medical attention for others who have drunk too much without fear of being charged for underage drinking themselves and is geared to eliminate the decision to protect their friend or themselves.
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