Authorities said Thursday they will not charge others who were present in October when an Erie teenager died of chemical asphyxia from inhaling nitrous oxide at a house in State College.
Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna told the Centre Daily Times that Jack Schoenig, 17, inhaled the gas from a cartridge of nitrous oxide, also known laughing gas, that was designed to charge whipped cream dispensers.
Schoenig's death was ruled accidental. He was a senior at Cathedral Preparatory School in Erie.
Cantorna issued a statement that the sale and use of the gas to inhale it is a misdemeanor, but Pennsylvania drug laws provide immunity from prosecution for those who render aid and remain with the person until emergency help arrives.
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Schoenig was unconscious and in cardiac arrest when authorities responded to the scene the night of Saturday, Oct. 19. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The coroner has said there was no alcohol in his system and found no signs of trauma.
Three days after Schoenig’s death, Penn State said the incident occurred at an off-campus house that may have been occupied by members of the Chi Phi fraternity. The university at that time put the fraternity chapter on interim suspension pending the outcome of investigations.
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