Sorority Tradition Turns Tragic in McLean Co.
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: October 2, 2012
McLEAN CO. - An Illinois State University senior is recovering at a Chicago area burn unit after a scary incident this weekend.
21-year-old Lauren Bucaro was taking a picture with her girlfriends when she slipped on a log and landed in the flames.
It happened around 10:45 p.m. Saturday at Pleasant View Farm outside Lexington.
The Gamma Phi Beta sorority contracted out the property for a barn dance event that attracted at least 200 people.
Owner Sam Payne said Wednesday, "They come from the city, so they don't get to see chickens, St. Bernards or baby chickens."
Saturday was not the first time Payne contracted out his land for a Greek organization. But he said it is the first time he had an issue.
"The kids have always been well behaved. Before every bus unloads, I get on every bus and tell them hey, this is my home. You are my guests. Just treat this place as if it's your own. Be respectful," he said.
Bucaro was backing up to the fire to have it in the background of a picture with a group of girls, McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery said Wednesday.
"She slipped on a log next to the fire and fell in," he said.
Emery said the student suffered first, second and third degree burns on different parts of her body.
He said the injuries are not life-threatening, but that she likely has an extensive recovery ahead of her.
Payne called the incident a tragic accident. "She was a drunk college kid and she fell down," he said.
But Emery wants to know if there's more to it than that.
He told WMBD 31 he is worried about a lack of supervision at the barn dance and alcohol use. Bucaro's blood alcohol content was nearly twice Illinois' legal limit of .08.
"We're concerned with the alcohol consumption, the over consumption of alcohol. If there were any minors involved. The owner is in question," Emery said.
But Payne contends he followed the rules. He said his only involvement was providing the space.
"I'm not regulating how much they drink because that's the third party vendor's responsibility. That's who the sorority hires," he said.
Payne also added the sorority is required to find third party transportation and/or third party music if they choose.
Illinois State University, meanwhile, is critical of the sorority's response. Its national chapter waited more than a day to say anything.
Spokesman Jay Groves said had ISU known sooner, it would've been easier to offer crisis services.
"The only thing that would've happened is we would've been able to contact the student's family and offer services we offer as a student affairs staff," he said.
Groves also said the Gamma Phi Beta chapter submitted the correct paperwork to have an off campus event with alcohol.
He said Bucaro is in good condition and could be on campus again next week.
This isn't the first issue for Payne's farm.
Emery said there were allegations in 2009 of a college student being sexually assaulted in a cornfield.
But the alleged victim did not cooperate with the investigation and the case was dropped.
21-year-old Lauren Bucaro was taking a picture with her girlfriends when she slipped on a log and landed in the flames.
It happened around 10:45 p.m. Saturday at Pleasant View Farm outside Lexington.
The Gamma Phi Beta sorority contracted out the property for a barn dance event that attracted at least 200 people.
Owner Sam Payne said Wednesday, "They come from the city, so they don't get to see chickens, St. Bernards or baby chickens."
Saturday was not the first time Payne contracted out his land for a Greek organization. But he said it is the first time he had an issue.
"The kids have always been well behaved. Before every bus unloads, I get on every bus and tell them hey, this is my home. You are my guests. Just treat this place as if it's your own. Be respectful," he said.
Bucaro was backing up to the fire to have it in the background of a picture with a group of girls, McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery said Wednesday.
"She slipped on a log next to the fire and fell in," he said.
Emery said the student suffered first, second and third degree burns on different parts of her body.
He said the injuries are not life-threatening, but that she likely has an extensive recovery ahead of her.
Payne called the incident a tragic accident. "She was a drunk college kid and she fell down," he said.
But Emery wants to know if there's more to it than that.
He told WMBD 31 he is worried about a lack of supervision at the barn dance and alcohol use. Bucaro's blood alcohol content was nearly twice Illinois' legal limit of .08.
"We're concerned with the alcohol consumption, the over consumption of alcohol. If there were any minors involved. The owner is in question," Emery said.
But Payne contends he followed the rules. He said his only involvement was providing the space.
"I'm not regulating how much they drink because that's the third party vendor's responsibility. That's who the sorority hires," he said.
Payne also added the sorority is required to find third party transportation and/or third party music if they choose.
Illinois State University, meanwhile, is critical of the sorority's response. Its national chapter waited more than a day to say anything.
Spokesman Jay Groves said had ISU known sooner, it would've been easier to offer crisis services.
"The only thing that would've happened is we would've been able to contact the student's family and offer services we offer as a student affairs staff," he said.
Groves also said the Gamma Phi Beta chapter submitted the correct paperwork to have an off campus event with alcohol.
He said Bucaro is in good condition and could be on campus again next week.
This isn't the first issue for Payne's farm.
Emery said there were allegations in 2009 of a college student being sexually assaulted in a cornfield.
But the alleged victim did not cooperate with the investigation and the case was dropped.
