Ex-University of Michigan Delta Chi pledge sues over burns from 'flame jetting' at tailgate

Sarah Atwood, The Detroit News on Nov 11, 2026

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DETROIT — A University of Michigan student is suing the university, the now-closed Delta Chi fraternity, the makers of the alcohol brand Everclear and others for a tailgate incident in October 2025 in which he said flames near the alcohol caused a "blowtorch-like phenomenon" that left him with burns on the upper half of his body.

Alexander Ottensoser was attending a university-approved Delta Chi tailgate at a residence near the UM's campus on Oct. 4, 2025, before the Michigan-Wisconsin football game, according to the federal lawsuit. During the party, a large crowd of students, their parents and alumni gathered to watch two fraternity members ignite and burn the University of Wisconsin flag.

Ottensoser was standing about 10 feet from the stage when the two men went to light the fire, the lawsuit said. The two men used Everclear 151, which has 75.5% alcohol by volume, to help with igniting and and accelerating the fire. When open flame was introduced to the bottle of Everclear, a fireball left the stage and lit Ottensoser's upper body on fire, the lawsuit said.

Ottensoser alleged he suffered burns on a quarter of his body, including injuries to his face, neck, torso and arms and was hospitalized from Oct. 4 through Oct. 20, 2025. He underwent multiple medical procedures, including skin graft surgeries, and continues to require treatment for scarring, pain and other long-term effects, the lawsuit said.

The suit names multiple defendants, including the University of Michigan; the university's Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life; the Interfraternity Council; The Delta Chi Fraternity, Inc.; Property Management Specialists, Inc., which owned the property where the party took place; unidentified fraternity members and organizers; alcohol manufacturer Luxco, Inc.; parent company MGP Ingredients, Inc.; and several unidentified individuals and entities involved in the purchase, sale and manufacture of the alcohol and bottle used in the incident.

The lawsuit was first filed Monday in Washtenaw Circuit Court and then transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

Paul Corliss, UM's assistant vice president for Public Affairs and Internal Communication, declined to comment on the lawsuit. Patrick Cobb, the director of communications for the national Delta Chi organization, was not immediately available.

The complaint alleged university and fraternity officials approved and sanctioned the event and failed to adequately identify, supervise or mitigate foreseeable risks associated with alcohol use, open flames and fraternity gatherings. It further alleged that the fraternity members and organizers failed to exercise reasonable care in planning and conducting the event.

The lawsuit also made product liability claims against the manufacturers and distributors of Everclear 151. Ottensoser said the product's packaging lacked a flame-arresting device that could have prevented flame propagation into the bottle and that warning labels were reduced and modified during a 2018 rebranding, which make it harder to see and understand the specifics of the potential fire and explosion hazards.

Ottensoser seeks damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement, lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life and future medical care. Ottensoser requested a jury trial.

Delta Chi was shut down by the university on April 13, 2026, following the disappearance and death of Lucas Mattson. Mattson was reported missing 15 hours after he was last seen on Jan. 23 in Ann Arbor without a coat. His body was recovered in the 1900 block of Cambridge Road around 12:05 p.m. the next day.

Mattson family attorney Bobby Raitt previously said he learned that Lucas was last seen walking alone near the 1700 block of Hill Street in Ann Arbor at about 1 a.m. on Jan. 23 after leaving a Delta Chi fraternity party at 1705 Hill Street. Raitt believes Mattson was given alcohol at the party.

Mattson's death was ruled accidental by Dr. Randy Tashjian at the Michigan Medicine Hospital Morgue, who wrote that Mattson "was exposed to prolonged cold environmental conditions while intoxicated." His blood alcohol level was 0.156, according to the report.

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