Siobhan McAndrew

smcandrew@rgj.com

The University of Nevada, Reno is investigating an accident involving a freshman who is in critical condition at Renown Regional Medical Center.

According to an online fundraising page for Ryan Abele, the 2016 high school graduate fell at the Sigma Nu fraternity house Sunday morning.

The post said, “He fell and hit his head and was unresponsive. Ryan was rushed to the emergency room immediately and went straight into surgery. He had extensive bleeding on the left side of his brain and the main artery leading to the brain had ruptured.”

Hundreds gather for UNR freshman injured at Sigma Nu house

UNR said in a statement, "The University of Nevada, Reno extends its sympathy and support to the friends and family of student Ryan Abele, critically injured in a fall the morning of Sunday, Oct. 16 at the Sigma Nu fraternity house. To better understand the circumstances surrounding the incident, active police and university investigations are underway."

UNR said that during the investigation, Sigma Nu is not allowed to operate as an organization on campus.

Sigma Nu’s national office, based in Virginia, is also investigating.

"Anytime we have a serious injury at a chapter house, the fraternity does conduct an investigation," Brad Beacham, executive director of the national office of Sigma Nu.

Beacham said his office is focused on helping students affected by this and praying for the Abele and his family.

UNR student government president Brandon Boone said he has been in contact with the local Sigma Nu president and was told the injury was an accident. Boone said it was not related to fraternity hazing or inappropriate activities.

“I know everyone at Sigma Nu is pretty shaken up,” he said.

The Sigma Nu Facebook page and Twitter accounts are sharing fundraising efforts for Abele’s family.

Boone said the UNR community is rallying behind the fundraising efforts.

“It’s not uncommon for everyone in the Greek community to come together when something like this happens,” he said.

Abele graduated from De La Salle High School, a private Catholic high school in Concord, Calif. On Monday, the school held a prayer vigil for the well-known and liked student.

“He is a wonderful kid from a wonderful family,” said De La Salle's dean of students, Joe Aliotti.

The Ryan Abele Medical Fund's GoFundMe page has already raised more than $50,000. A family friend is also selling green T-shirts that say #RyanStrong at www.ryanabele.com. More than 100 shirts had been sold within a few hours on Tuesday.

UNR said counseling services have been made available to students and the members of the Sigma Nu fraternity. Students affected by the incident can contact the Office of the Associate Dean at 775-682-6846.