Police are searching for a bus that might have dragged an MSU student to his death last week near Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
Detroit police Sgt. Eren Stephens said investigators have an idea of which bus was involved in the Nov. 5 accident that led to the death of business sophomore and Alpha Epsilon Pi member Ryan Rosman. Surveillance tapes from the arena showed more than one bus was outside, Stephens said.
Evidence at the scene led investigators to conclude Rosman was dragged, but the tapes only show the buses driving away from the arena, she said. The tapes do not show Rosman going underneath the bus or being dragged by it. It is unclear why he was near or underneath the bus.
Police are trying to find the bus to look for evidence. Stephens would not comment further on the type of evidence being sought.
She would not elaborate on the status of the investigation and the incident, which occurred some time before 9 p.m., is being investigated as an accident.
“At this point, everything is preliminary,” Stephens said. “Nothing is etched in stone.”
Rosman was at Joe Louis Arena for a Detroit Red Wings game, police said. Joe Louis Arena security officials referred questions about the incident to the Detroit Police.
Rosman’s body was found at the intersection of Washington Boulevard and Michigan Avenue by a SMART bus driver who contacted dispatch at about 9:09 p.m., said Beth Dryden, director of external affairs, marketing and communication for SMART Bus systems.
Police then were called by the SMART bus company, which had no other involvement in the incident, Dryden said.
Rosman died from multiple injuries, Wayne County Medical Investigator V. Humes said. Toxicology reports of what was in Rosman’s system will not be available for several weeks, he said.
The national branch of Alpha Epsilon Pi is conducting an investigation into the accident, spokesman Jonathon Pierce said. An investigation is standard procedure anytime a member of the more than 140 chapters is injured, he said. The investigation is being conducted even though Rosman was off Alpha Epsilon Pi’s property and in Detroit.
Pierce declined to comment further on the matter and said the fraternity is focused on helping its members through this tragedy.
Rosman’s family is coping with the loss with the support of family and friends and members of Alpha Epsilon Pi, said Jeff Rotenberg, Rosman’s cousin.
“It’s been a pretty rough week to say the least,” he said. “When friends and family leave for the night, it’s back to the usual, unfortunately.”
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