2 Bonfire Pile Victims Were Drunk

Two of the 12 killed in the collapse of the Texas A&M; University bonfire pile were legally drunk, prompting an investigation by the state Alcoholic Beverage Commission.

Toxicology reports released Friday show the blood-alcohol levels of two male students killed in the Nov. 18 accident exceeded the legal limit, the Bryan-College Station Eagle and the Dallas Morning News reported. The level for one student was nearly four times the 0.08 threshold, the newspapers said.

School officials have stressed that no evidence points to student misconduct as a factor in the collapse, which also injured 27.

“A few students drinking could not have caused that accident,” said Bob Wiatt, the university’s director of security.

Tests show eight other students who died had not been drinking, while one former student had drunk a small amount. Toxicology results for the 12th student were not available.

Leo E. Linbeck, a Houston construction executive leading a separate, five-member investigative committee, said the toxicology reports will be added to the data already under review. The committee met for the first time Friday.