LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A University of Kentucky fraternity says it has suspended pledge Jacob Heil after learning he is accused of critically injuring a 4-year-old boy Saturday while driving under the influence.
The national office for Alpha Tau Omega released a statement about the issue:
“We join the community in keeping the young boy in our prayers. Officials with the ATO national office are touch with members of the chapter and university officials as we seek to determine details of what happened before the accident. ATO can confirm Jacob Heil pledged to the chapter earlier this week but has been suspended.”
Heil, 18, was arrested for driving under the influence on Saturday after allegedly hitting a 4-year-old who was walking with his dad on Cooper Drive during the UK football game.
The child was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Saturday’s crash prompted the UK Student Government to send out a tweet, looking for solutions for transportation to try and prevent something like this from happening again.
In reflecting on tonight’s tragedy, SGA will be looking into solutions for transportation and other saftey issues associated with game days. Your input is always welcome: safety@uksga.org
Our thoughts are with the young boy and his family. #BBN
— UK StudentGovernment (@uksga) September 16, 2018
Companies like Uber and Lyft are very popular in college towns, so UK students do have those options. UK offers a Wildcat Cab that will pick up drunk students during late night hours.
Another solution has been to select “pledge” drivers in fraternities and sororities that are supposed to stay sober and drive.
Students tell LEX 18 that Heil was one of these pledge drivers.
