Andrew Coffey’s Story
Andrew Coffey was 20 years old from Lighthouse Point, Florida. He transferred to Florida State University for his junior year and studied civil engineering with the intent to enlist in the Navy upon graduation. On the evening of November 2, 2017 at the Pi Kappa Phi “Big Brother Night” Andrew was asked to consume the "family bottle" of bourbon given to him by his "Big Brother" as part of a long-standing fraternity tradition. He was subsequently found unresponsive the following morning. During his autopsy, his blood alcohol level was reported to be 0.447–6 times the legal limit.
Andrew’s Law (SB 1080)
In April 2019, Florida lawmakers unanimously passed a bill titled Andrew’s Law, named in memory of Andrew Coffey. Andrew’s Law strengthens the Chad Meredith Act in multiple ways, including:
- Providing for immunity under the hazing statute to the first person who calls 911 or administers aid to a hazing victim
- Granting immunity only if the 911 caller cooperates with law enforcement
- Providing for prosecution of event coordinators where hazing causes injury, even if coordinators don’t attend
- Provides for prosecution of hazing that causes permanent damage
In the hazing death of Andrew Coffey, Nine Pi Kappa Phi fraternity members were charged with misdemeanor or felony hazing. All nine served jail time ranging from 30 days up to 1 year.
