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In Flagstaff, Arizona, a fraternity’s pledge master at Northern Arizona University has been charged with felony hazing following the tragic death of a student after a fraternity event. The incident occurred in late January.
The indictment accuses Carter Eslick of compelling or encouraging excessive drinking, leading to the death of 18-year-old Colin Daniel Martinez on January 31. The event took place at a house off-campus.
Police discovered Martinez unresponsive at the location, despite efforts by bystanders to revive him with CPR. Sadly, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy revealed that Martinez succumbed to alcohol poisoning, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.425%—a level more than five times the legal limit for drivers aged 21 and above. Arizona enforces a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol consumption by drivers under 21.
Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker expressed his condolences, stating, “The loss of a young person is always a tragedy.”
Josh Blumenrich, an attorney representing Eslick, didn’t immediately return a phone call seeking comment.
In a statement, the university said the death has “shaken our entire community” and noted that Eslick is no longer enrolled there.
Two other members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity were arrested along with Eslick after Martinez’s death, but the charge filed on Friday was only against Eslick.
SEE ALSO | 3 fraternity leaders charged with hazing after Northern Arizona University student dies: police
Prosecutors declined to say whether they will ask a grand jury to charge the other two fraternity members.
Martinez was among four people who were candidates for the fraternity and shared two bottles of vodka to ensure they vomited, according to court documents. Some witnesses said the bottles might have been diluted with water.
Witnesses reported readjusting his sleeping position, checking his pulse and breathing, and looking up symptoms of alcohol poisoning throughout the night, the documents said.
After Martinez died, the university suspended the fraternity. The national organization later voted to shutter the NAU chapter.
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