Alcohol May Be Cause of Joliet Man's Death at Lewis, Police Say

By Shannon Antinori

Excessive alcohol consumption may have played a role in the death of a Joliet man whose body was found in a dormitory room Thursday morning at Lewis University, Romeoville police said.

Officers were called to the scene at 10:36 a.m. to investigate "an unconscious male subject in a dormitory room," identified as 22-year-old Elvis Dominguez-Meja, who was found to be deceased, Deputy Police Chief Steve Lucchesi said in a news release.

The preliminary investigation indicates "the death may have been caused by excessive alcohol consumption."

"At this time, no foul play is suspected and the case is under investigation," Lucchesi said.

Dominguez-Mejia was not a student at Lewis University but was visiting a friend who is a student on campus, he said. Dominguez-Mejia's body reportedly was found in Fitzpatrick Hall.

The Will County Coroner will perform an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.

In a statement on its Web site, Lewis officials said the campus remains open and all classes and activities will be held as scheduled. The statement went on to say:

"The Lewis University Community expresses its prayerful sympathy to all who are touched by this tragedy, especially family and friends."

— Patch Editor Ron Kremer contributed to this report