TUNKHANNOCK TOWNSHIP -- Police in Monroe County are investigating the death of a college student Sunday morning.
Investigators say the man was with members of a fraternity who traveled to the Poconos from New York City and then got hurt taking part in some sort of initiation ritual.
Carmen Mocarski is in disbelief after hearing that a 19-year-old man died from injuries after a fraternity party over the weekend in her neighborhood. She lives nearby and says she remembers seeing police at the home.
"We thought maybe they were having a wild party and somebody complained," Mocarski said.
But police were there to investigate after one student ended up in the hospital.
Monroe County detectives say a group of 30 members of the fraternity Pi Delta Psi rented the home on Candlewood Drive near Mount Pocono.
The fraternity members came from Baruch College in New York City to spend the weekend. With the group, were four pledges, or candidates, who were trying to be part of the fraternity.
Monroe County detectives say the victim, Chen Michael Deng, was part of a fraternity ritual in the yard at home. The detectives say the fraternity ritual included verbal assaults then it turned physical. That’s when they believe, Chen Michael Deng suffered a traumatic injury.
Detectives say Deng was unresponsive and some of the fraternity members drove him to Geisinger Wyoming Valley hospital.
Doctors say Deng suffered major brain trauma and was placed on life support.
He died Monday from his injuries.
"That's embarassing for Greek life,” said John Janeczko.
Janeczko is the president of East Stroudsburg University's chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa. He says these days fraternity rituals to get pledges to become brothers are becoming a thing of the past.
"We have our chapter advisor come around at least two or three times a week to check up on us, so it's become really strict.”
Janeczko says as for that fraternity ritual gone wrong, he feels for the victim’s family.
"It's sad for Greek life, it's sad for the family, have their kid go away from college and have that happen to them."
The investigation is ongoing and so far there have been no charges or arrests for the student's death.