A sad story to be sure. Your heart breaks for the student’s family.

FOX News reported.

Family sues a year after California fraternity pledge dies on grueling hazing hike

The family of a California college student who died during a grueling fraternity hazing hike is suing the organization and the school, saying the young man’s death was senseless and easily preventable.

Nineteen-year-old Armando Villa, who attended California State University, Northridge, died a year ago Wednesday after he collapsed during an 18-mile hike organized by Pi Kappa Phi.

A university investigation blamed hazing. The fraternity closed its chapter at the school, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department opened a still-ongoing investigation.

Villa’s mother and stepfather filed a lawsuit Wednesday alleging negligence and hazing. It seeks unspecified damages.

The university says in a statement that the school didn’t know about the hike beforehand and isn’t responsible for Villa’s death. A fraternity spokesman declined to comment on the litigation.