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Two students injured in a January hit-and-run at Cal Poly have filed a civil suit naming the driver and his fraternity, alleging that alcohol and fraternity conduct helped set the stage for the crash. The July 10 complaint raises fresh questions about campus drinking culture and possible legal liability for organizations and individuals connected to the night’s events.
The filing and why it matters now
The lawsuit was lodged roughly seven months after the Jan. 8 collision that left Zoey Archibald and Lilianne Burke seriously hurt. The driver, former Cal Poly student Ishan Pandhare, was arrested on Jan. 9 and faces three felony charges in criminal court; he has pleaded not guilty.
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The civil action seeks monetary damages for physical injuries and emotional harm, and it assigns blame beyond the driver. Plaintiffs argue the incident exposes broader risks tied to underage drinking and fraternity-hosted gatherings on and around campus.
Who is named in the suit
- Ishan Pandhare — identified as the driver involved in the collision.
- Kappa Sigma — the Cal Poly fraternity is accused of conducting events that encouraged alcohol consumption and amounting to hazing under California law.
- Aidan Jameson Kennedy — described in the complaint as a Cal Poly alumnus who allegedly provided the vehicle and allowed Pandhare to drive it.
- Kip Stackle — listed as a current graduate student and alleged to have supplied alcohol to an underage Pandhare.
- Anna Grillo — a senior in computer science, accused of hosting a pre-crash birthday party where alcohol was provided.
Allegations in the complaint
Archibald and Burke’s filing contends that Pandhare attended a Kappa Sigma event that involved alcohol and that the fraternity’s conduct contributed to his alleged intoxication. The complaint treats the encouragement or facilitation of drinking for new or current students as a form of hazing, which would violate state law if proven.
Court papers also claim that Kennedy owned the car driven the night of the crash and that he either knew or should have known of Pandhare’s impaired condition before letting him use the vehicle. Separate allegations target Stackle and Grillo for allegedly supplying alcohol to an underage person prior to the collision.
The plaintiffs describe severe physical injuries and ongoing emotional distress, saying they were left feeling abandoned and frightened after the vehicle struck them. They are asking for a jury trial to seek compensation and accountability.
Next steps and wider implications
The case is scheduled for an initial hearing on Nov. 16. If the plaintiffs succeed in tying organizational conduct to the driver’s state of intoxication, the ruling could influence how colleges, fraternities and individual hosts are held accountable for alcohol-related harm.
Beyond legal consequences, the suit underscores broader campus concerns: how social events are monitored, who bears responsibility when underage drinking occurs, and what preventive steps institutions should enforce to protect students.
| Item | Current status / claim |
|---|---|
| Pandhare (driver) | Arrested Jan. 9; faces three felony charges; pleaded not guilty; named defendant in civil suit |
| Kappa Sigma (fraternity) | Accused of hosting events that facilitated alcohol consumption and alleged hazing |
| Other individuals | Kennedy, Stackle, and Grillo are accused of providing access to a car or alcohol prior to the crash |
| Plaintiffs | Zoey Archibald and Lilianne Burke seek damages for physical injury and psychological trauma; request jury trial |
| Next court date | Initial hearing set for Nov. 16 |
Mustang News had previously withheld the victims’ names; they are now included in reporting because the lawsuit is a public record. Requests for comment from the Cal Poly Interfraternity Council and Kappa Sigma were pending at the time of filing and the outlet says it will update coverage as statements arrive.
