POLICE PROBE COLLEGE DRINKING DEATH

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- Police are investigating the death of a
19-year-old college student whose blood-alcohol level was .42 percent, four
times the legal limit for driving while under the influence.

Preliminary autopsy results show Stephen Petz, a Ferris State University
student, died early Wednesday of alcohol poisoning.

No charges have been filed, but Big Rapids Director of Public Safety Kevin
Courtney said his department is interviewing a dozen people believed to
have been at the off-campus party where Petz was drinking.

``The person or persons who purchased or provided the alcohol could be
charged with a 10-year-felony,'' Courtney said. ``There has to be some
responsibility taken ... when you keep feeding alcohol to someone and they
die.''

Ferris State and Big Rapids have been taking a number of steps to curb
alcohol abuse among students, including alcohol-free social activities,
alcohol safety education, and alcohol poisoning recognition and first-aid
training.

Last school year, two people died at Ferris State after evenings of
drinking.