SENATOR ROBBY MILLS TAKES ON FRATERNITY HAZING IN POTENTIAL 2023 SENATE BILL NAMED “LOFTON’S LAW

Incident happened in 2021

FRANKFORT, KY (OCTOBER 20, 2022) - Senator Robby Mills, R-Henderson,  invited  Tracy and Kirk Hazelwood,  the parents of Lofton Hazelwood, a University of Kentucky student who tragically died from alcohol poisoning at a fraternity event, to testify in front of the Interim Joint-Committee on Justice and Judiciary Thursday morning. After hearing their tear-jerking testimony, Mills and Rep. Jonathan Dixon, R- Henderson,  proposed Bill Request 161 (BR 161), which would make fraternity hazing a class D felony in Kentucky.

“Our community was deeply affected by the tragic and untimely passing of Lofton Hazelwood,” said Mills. “Hazing and excessive drinking have long been associated with the fraternity setting and organizations need to know that there are severe consequences for these activities. In Lofton’s memory, it’s time we pass anti-hazing legislation in Kentucky.” 

Hazelwood, a freshman University of Kentucky student from Senator Mills’ district, was a member of the Farmhouse Fraternity. He had recently joined the organization and prior to a tradition of “serenading” the sorority houses, took part in heavy alcohol consumption with the other pledges in October 2021. According to testimony, he was left alone at the fraternity house, severely intoxicated after being made to drink 18 shots of whiskey, and was unresponsive when the other members returned. 

An investigation by campus police ensued but found no direct evidence that Lofton was forced or coerced into drinking to excess. It was well-known that Farmhouse hazed their pledges and like other fraternities caught participating in hazing and excessive drinking, Farmhouse was suspended from campus and all members banned from contact for seven years. 

Since their son’s death, Hazelwood’s family has advocated for anti-hazing laws in the commonwealth and has spoken to students around the state about the dangers of drinking and hazing. Senator Mills invited them to testify during the committee and introduce what will be known as “Lofton’s Law.” If Lofton’s Law is passed, Kentucky will join 13 other states in having anti-hazing laws carrying a felony charge. 

“I promise you all, as a mother, this is not a call you want to receive,” said Tracy Hazelwood. “Hazing is out of control throughout this country. There have been 76 deaths from hazing since 2004 and 50 of those are from excessive drinking.  Kentucky needs a law against hazing. No parents should have to experience what we have had to experience losing our son. We need this law to pass as soon as possible. While it won’t bring Lofton back, it may save somebody else’s son.”  

As a result of Lofton’s Law, any student that intentionally participates in a hazing ritual which causes physical harm or death to another student will be charged with first-degree hazing, a class D felony. Second-degree hazing, if a student recklessly participates in hazing another student, will be a Class A misdemeanor. 

“How many fatalities is it going to take before fraternities understand that hazing coupled with excessive drinking is not going to be tolerated?” Mills said. “Hazing can lead to injury, death and destruction of Kentucky families and it’s time the General Assembly passes a law like many other states have, punishing these reckless and outright dangerous traditions we know lead to senseless tragedy.”