A former leader of a Northern Arizona University fraternity involved in the fatal hazing of another student who died with a 0.425% blood-alcohol concentration is likely to receive probation pending a judge’s approval at his Sept. 30 sentencing.
Carter Eslick, 20, pleaded guilty on Aug. 10 to hazing involving consumption of a substance causing harm in connection with the death of Colin Daniel Martinez, 18, who was found unresponsive and later declared dead at an off-campus house near the NAU campus on Jan. 31.
Investigators learned Martinez and three other students participated in a dangerous drinking game the night before as part of a “rush” event organized by Delta Tau Delta’s NAU chapter, which closed in the aftermath of Martinez’s death.
The
students played a drinking game where they were given a 1.75-liter bottle, or “handle,” of vodka and told to finish it amongst themselves, documents said. The game involved a group — typically three to five people — passing around a container of alcohol with the last person having to drink everything that’s left, according to the website Urban Dictionary.
Martinez consumed an enormous amount of alcohol before he passed out, documents said.
Fraternity members told investigators they checked on Martinez throughout the night and adjusted his sleeping position while monitoring his breathing and pulse after searching online for symptoms of alcohol poisoning, according to court documents. They called 911 after they discovered Martinez was unresponsive the following morning.
An autopsy found Martinez died from acute alcohol toxicity and listed his death as an accident. Martinez had also suffered a pulmonary and mild cerebral edema — a potentially deadly condition where excess fluid accumulates in the lungs and brain.
Flagstaff police initially arrested three 20-year-old executive board members of the fraternity, but they were released shortly after when officers hadn’t submitted any criminal charges to prosecutors.
The Coconino County Attorney’s Office eventually filed the hazing charge against Eslick nearly two months after Martinez’s death.
"The loss of a young person is always a tragedy," Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker said in a previous statement. "Our hearts are with Colin Martinez's family, and we will diligently pursue this case toward a just resolution."
Eslick was allowed to live with his parents at their Scottsdale home while his criminal case was being adjudicated.
This is a developing story. Check back with azcentral.com for updates.
Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at perry.vandell@arizonarepublic.com or 480-341-9433.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former NAU fraternity leader to be sentenced for fatal hazing
