Nearly two dozen members of a Northern Illinois University fraternity have been charged in the death of a freshman last month after a night of hazing and heavy drinking at the fraternity house.

David Bogenberger, 19, went from room to room at the fraternity house of Pi Kappa Alpha on Nov. 1, answering questions in exchange for vodka and other booze over two hours, the Chicago Tribune reports. The party is an annual tradition, called parents' night, for the fraternity at which new pledges are assigned mentors, the Tribune reports.

Bogenberger, was found dead in bed at the fraternity house the next morning, his blood alcohol content about five times the legal limit for driving, police said.

Five fraternity members, including the fraternity president, vice-president and pledge adviser, have been charged with felony hazing in Bogenberger's death and 17 others have been charged with misdemeanour hazing charges, authorities said.