Local Deadly College Prank Charges Lowered

This somewhat local Chicagoland story from Bradley University, 100 miles southwest of the city hasn't gotten much national airplay but probably should as it's a terribly sad lesson for kids and adults alike as to what can happen when fireworks are treated like toys, particularly when used while intoxicated and ignorantly above all, indoors to top it off.

4 charged in prank gone wrong

Bradley soccer player's death followed night of drinking

Register-Mail.com - Galesburg Register-Mail Online: "PEORIA - Prosecutors charged four college students with arson Monday, saying they botched a fireworks prank and instead set a fire that killed a 19-year-old Bradley University soccer player as he slept in his room after a night of drinking."

The men could have faced first-degree murder charges, prosecutors said, but they didn't mean to harm Sheridan "Danny" Dahlquist and in fact tried to rescue him during Sunday morning's blaze.

"They intended for their friend to run outside in his underwear, going 'What the hell happened,'" said Kevin Lyons, the Peoria County prosecutor. "I'm quite certain that every person I know could put themselves in the shoes of the defendants."

Nicholas Mentgen, 21, Ryan Johnson, 22, David Crady, 19, and 20-year-old Daniel Cox each were charged with two counts of aggravated arson and one count of possession of an explosive or incendiary device.

Dahlquist, a sophomore on Bradley's soccer team, was found near a window in his bedroom, suggesting he tried to escape, prosecutors said. He died of carbon monoxide toxicity due to smoke inhalation after the fire in the West Peoria home he shared with Mentgen, Johnson and Crady, county Coroner Johnna Ingersoll said. read more

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