WSU student hurt in fall from balcony

Police say alcohol was a factor in another incident at Washington State University, where a student fell two stories early Sunday from a fraternity balcony.

Griffin E. Healey, 19, was unconscious but breathing when Pullman police arrived at the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, 910 N.E. Colorado St., just after 1 a.m. Sunday.

Witnesses told police Healey was trying to sit on the second-floor railing when he fell backward and hit his head. A retaining wall and some rocks sit under the balcony, said Pullman police Cmdr. Chris Tennant.

Medics took Healey to Pullman Regional Hospital and then later to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. He was in critical condition Monday.

The fall was the fourth this fall by college students who were reportedly drinking alcohol – three at WSU and one at the University of Idaho.

WSU administrators created an alcohol and drug task force in response to what they said is a growing problem of students drinking too much.

The task force met earlier this month to analyze the school’s alcohol and drug programs, said WSU spokeswoman Kathy Barnard. “Really, the task force is looking at general policies and procedures,” Barnard said. “The context of this fall is different because it happened off campus, but it still involves a WSU student.”

Lambda Chi Alpha chapter President Justin Alexander said he was not at the house when Healey fell.

He described Healey as a “great guy” with a “super good heart.”

“He’s one of those guys that would do almost anything for you – always a friend,” Alexander said.