LEXINGTON, Ky. — The family of a University of Kentucky freshman who died last October at a fraternity house is calling for hazing laws in the Commonwealth.

The Fayette County Coroner’s Office ruled 18-year-old Lofton Hazelwood’s death as an accident, with alcohol poisoning listed as “the significant contributing factor.” 

Lofton Hazelwood died in 2021 at UK’s Farmhouse Fraternity house. The coroner ruled Hazelwood’s death as an accident, with alcohol poisoning listed as “the significant contributing factor.” (Tracey Hazelwood)

The coroner said the freshman’s blood alcohol concentration was 0.354, almost 4 and a half times over the legal limit for an adult of drinking age. Hazelwood also had Adderall in his system.

Now, a year later, his family is hoping to make hazing a felony in Kentucky.

“You have no clue how much we miss him,” said Tracey Hazelwood, his mom. The Henderson native was back on campus at the University of Kentucky last week.

“Sometimes when I leave here, I feel like he’s still here,” she said.

Lofton died last year five weeks after he received his pledge card from the Farmhouse Fraternity.

“We just can’t wrap our heads around the fact that what happened that night. Because it was so unreal for us, for him to even do it,” Tracey said.

Farmhouse Fraternity members found Lofton unresponsive that sunny Monday on Oct. 18, 2021.

“In my mind, if somebody had stayed with Lofton, he’d still be here today. You know, I don’t know if kids are scared to call for [help], or what. But if somebody had been with him or called, he’d be here today. I have no doubt,” Tracey said.

She and her daughter, Preston, spoke to over 1,200 students in Greek life to spread a message.

“I want it to scare ‘em, you know. You could go to jail forever for something like this. It’s stupid,” Tracey said. 

Their aim is to share Lofton’s story, hoping it saves lives.

“What makes this a brother, you know? If I made you drink all this just to watch him vomit, or whatever. I mean, what? You get it, you know what I’m saying? What does that do? Prove that you’re a man?” Tracey said. “Oh, no, it’s just… it’s baffling to us. It really is.” 

While UK’s investigation found no evidence of physical coercion or forced drinking with Lofton’s death, the word hazing is not in any state law.

They found that Farmhouse chapter members practiced hazing throughout the semester, creating a culture that perpetuated these activities.

“We want to bring a law into the state of Kentucky, and it’s going to be a felony. So, you know, hopefully people will think twice about the things they’re doing,” Tracey said.

The Hazelwood family says they plan to speak in Frankfort on Oct. 20 to introduce Lofton’s Law to state legislatures.