Family of dead BU student mourns, supports 19-year-old friend facing charges in death

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

BY ERINN DESHINSKY AND ANDY KRAVETZ Article

OF THE JOURNAL STAR Top of page

PEORIA -

Robert's friend, Brandon Gish, is charged with a felony offense stating that "while acting in a reckless manner," pushed Robert at about 11 p.m. Saturday, causing him to fall into oncoming traffic on University Street, where he was struck by a vehicle. Robert died from head injuries suffered in the accident. Robert's preliminary blood-alcohol content was reported to be 0.197 percent, more than twice the state's legal threshold for drunkenness.

Erinn Deshinsky can be reached at 686-3112 or edeshinsky@pjstar.com. Andy Kravetz can be reached at 686-3283 or akravetz@pjstar.com. Leslie Fark also contributed to this story.

Committee looks to curb alcohol abuse

A Bradley University Committee is looking into ways to curb alcohol abuse on campus

By Laura Michels Article
Posted: Monday, March 10, 2008 at 5:45 p.m. Top of page

Reports how the University is reacting to multiple tragedies within the past year:

"The death of a Bradley University student (Robert) over the weekend highlights the work a Bradley University committee is doing to curb underaged drinking and alcohol abuse on campus. In August, 19-year-old Danny Dahlquist died in a house fire after police say his roommates put fireworks under his door while he was sleeping. "The fire consumed the room and Danny Dahlquist showed no kinds of life from the time he was found," said Peoria County State's Attorney Kevin Lyons back on August 13th, 2007. Toxicology reports later showed Dahlquist had a blood alcohol level of point .115, over the legal limit off .08."

BU student's death ruled an accident

Robert Hurt was hit by car on Main Street after 'horseplay' with friend

Friday, May 2, 2008

By Leslie Fark Article

of the Journal Star Top of page

Reports that Robert's death was ruled an accident Thursday by a Peoria County Coroner's jury. Tests showed that Robert's blood-alcohol content was 0.205 percent. The case against his friend, Brandon Girst, was dismissed after a grand jury failed to indict him, and the county's top prosecutor sided with the grand jury.

Leslie Fark can be reached at 686-3188 or lfark@pjstar.com.