UNC Student Hospitalized After Jumping From Balcony
GREELEY, Colo. (CBS4)- A student at the University of Northern Colorado is in critical condition after jumping off a balcony and hitting his head. Ross Higuchi, 18, is in critical condition at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley.
Police were called to his fraternity house, Delta Tau Delta, after a party at about 1 a.m. Saturday. They found Higuchi unconscious on the ground in front of the house.
"Apparently this individual had been drinking, was intoxicated and at some point in time, just decided to jump off of the balcony," said Greeley Police Sergeant Joe Tymkowych.
There is a substantial railing around the second floor balcony. Witnesses told police the doors leading to the balcony were locked and Higuchi forced his way to the balcony, sparking a heated discussion with his fraternity brothers.
"The fact that he wasn't supposed to be out there, that he may be liable for damages to the doors and at that point in time, he just jumps over the edge," said Tymkowych.
Higuchi hit his head when he landed.
"It does not appear as though he was despondent in any way. As far as we can tell at this point in time, there was no reason for him to want to jump other than maybe it was a little bit of alcohol," said Tymkowych.
Higuchi is a freshman at UNC. He graduated from Smoky Hill High School in May 2010. Friends say he was a kicker for the football team and a varsity wrestler. Delta Tau Delta said Higuchi joined the fraternity in October.
The fraternity's vice president, Jim Russell, issued this statement on Monday, "The Fraternity's immediate focus is supporting Ross's family and our students at Northern Colorado. We will provide our resources as needed during this difficult time."
Higuchi's family released this statement, "Ross has been and will continue to fight a serious injury with the love, prayers, and thoughts of many friends and family behind him. The family cannot express our thankfulness for this beautiful display of human compassion and love."
Police are investigating where the teenager got the alcohol. The university is also conducting its own investigation.
Delta Tau Delta is one of nine fraternities and five sororities associated with UNC.
