Varsity Members Kicked Off Teams for Connection to Nearly Fatal Fall
By: Mallory Lane
Updated: February 6, 2013
PENN STATE, UNIVERSITY PARK - Police have ruled Paige Raque's fall from a window in downtown State College as accidental, but underage drinking was an issue.
After extensive investigation, they say eight people, including members of the Penn State Cheerleading and Dance Teams will be charged.
19-year old Paige Raque fell from a fifth floor window in the Calder Commons apartment complex during a party in downtown State College in October. Now, three months later, charges are being filed.
"This is the end of the ongoing investigation," Lt. Chris Fishel of State College Police said. "The investigation was ended a while ago until it was handed over to the DA's office."
According to witnesses at the party, Raque was seen dancing on a table. That's when they say she lost her balance and fell out of the window. Raque was just one of several members of the Penn State Cheerleading and Dance Teams at the party that night to celebrate Dance Team member Brooke Piccione's 20th birthday.
Five members of the Cheerleading Team and one member of the Dance Team are charged with providing alcohol to minors.
Police have not released Raque's blood alcohol content from that night, but say they did detect a smell of alcohol on her and multiple witnesses say they saw her drinking throughout the evening prior to her fall.
At this point, no charges have been filed against Raque. Penn State Alum Anthony Delpiano doesn't think the students should be charged for calling for help.
"They didn't force the alcohol down her throat, she chose to drink and she's underage, she chose to drink whether or not they got the alcohol for her, that's my personal opinion," Delpiano said. "But I do understand why they're being punished. They broke the law and something needs to be done to try to curb underage drinking."
The four cheerleaders involved in the case, as well as the dance team member were kicked off their respective teams for violating team rules.
Those cheerleaders are Tempest Hourston, Megan Markovitz, Alyssa Duffy and Madeline Miller. The Dance Team member is Brooke Piccione. Hourston and Markovitz are the only two of age.
Adaire Robinson, a cheerleader in the Spring of 2012, as well as Alexandria Hipple, 20, and Julie Hannan, 19, are the other students charged.
These charges are misdemeanor charges.
Raque is back home in Kentucky where she continues cognitive and physical therapy treatments.
