WMU Suspends Fraternity Activities After Crash Kills Two

Western Michigan University issued a cease-and-desist directive suspending an unnamed fraternity’s activities while it reviews allegations that Mattawan High School students may have consumed alcohol at a fraternity event before an Oct. 18 crash in Texas Township. Two students, Aurora Ruckert and Jordyn Bigham, were killed, and three others were injured. The university expressed condolences but has not specified the allegations, the suspension’s duration, or whether it believes the fraternity is connected to the crash. An attorney representing Ruckert’s family said the students may have attended a fraternity party and said the family is seeking answers; he has said the fraternity could be held liable if alcohol played a role.