U.S. college student survives nearfatal binge

MADISON, Wis. (Reuter) A student at the University of Wisconsin was in
fair condition Tuesday after a drinking session apparently landed him in
the hospital.

Casey Miller, 21, of Junction City, Wis., suffered a skull fracture in a
fall early Sunday morning and was hospitalized with a bloodalcohol level
of .417, police said.

His level was higher than the .410 reported for a student at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology who died last week after a fraternity
house drinking binge.

``He is lucky to be alive,'' said Madison police officer Tom Snyder.

A student at the University of WisconsinStout, Miller was visiting a
friend at the University of WisconsinMadison when the two went bar
hopping, police said.

The legal intoxication level under Wisconsin law is .10.

^REUTER@