One mother is still fighitng for justice, five years affter her son died near the Texas Tech campus. Most recently taking the fight to the capitol where she’s hoping a new bill will be passed to better define what hazing is so district attorney’s have a better chance at prosecuting.
Dalton Debrick died of alcohol poisoning shortly after he joined a fraternity at Texas Tech. His mom, Debbie, said he was hazed by that fraternity, which ultimately led to his death. But that case went to trial and a jury said there wasn’t enough evidence to prove that Debrick was hazed. But his mom never stopped her fight for change.
On Wednesday afternoon at the capitol, Debbie Debrick testified to the higher education committee. She told the story of how her son did and what the rest of her family has gone through everyday since.
That committee was discussing House Bill 1482, which would help redefine what hazing legally is to make it easier to prosecute.
“He’s definitely missed. His presence is missed,” Debrick said. “I miss his hugs more than anything. I miss his hugs.”
House Bill 1482 wouldn’t just help redefine hazing but also create more transparency for the parents about university’s track records with hazing incidents.
“We recognize it’s a problem and it’s killing our kids and killing the future,” she said.
If this bill is passed it could take effect as early as next school year.
“I don’t want any other mom or dad to feel what we feel. That’s been the fight since day one,” Debrick said.
