A former fraternity leader at Northern Arizona University was sentenced to two months in jail for his role in a hazing incident that ended in the death of a student. Carter Eslick, 20, pleaded guilty to a felony hazing charge in Coconino County Superior Court. The case involved the death of Colin Daniel Martinez, who died from alcohol poisoning at an off-campus Delta Tau Delta house. The sentencing took place with Martinez’s parents present in court.
| 1) | Sentencing follows felony hazing plea |
| 2) | Alcohol consumption preceded the death |
| 3) | Witnesses described attempts to monitor Martinez |
| 4) | Eslick accepted responsibility in court |
| 5) | Case renews attention on campus hazing risks |
Sentencing follows felony hazing plea
Carter Eslick was sentenced Wednesday in Coconino County Superior Court to two months in jail after pleading guilty to felony hazing. He was serving as the Delta Tau Delta pledge master when the incident occurred at an off-campus fraternity house near Northern Arizona University. The prosecution centered on his role in the events that led to the death of Colin Daniel Martinez.
The sentence addresses the criminal conduct connected to the hazing incident. Martinez’s parents attended the proceeding, underscoring the continuing impact of the death on his family. Eslick’s guilty plea resolved the felony hazing charge without a trial.
Alcohol consumption preceded the death
Martinez died at the Delta Tau Delta house after consuming enough alcohol to cause fatal poisoning. An autopsy found a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.45% shortly after his death, according to the case details reported at the time. The incident followed a fraternity rush event involving pledges.
During the hazing, Martinez was among four pledges who drank two bottles of vodka as part of an activity intended to make them vomit. The circumstances demonstrate how the ritual exposed participants to a severe and potentially fatal level of alcohol consumption. The death occurred at an off-campus location rather than on university property.
Witnesses described attempts to monitor Martinez
Witnesses said members of the group tried to monitor Martinez while he was asleep after drinking. They reportedly adjusted his sleeping position several times as they watched for signs of alcohol poisoning. Those actions were described in accounts of the incident, but Martinez ultimately died at the house.
The witness accounts provide the sequence connecting the hazing activity to the later emergency: pledges consumed large quantities of vodka, Martinez became unresponsive or asleep, and others attempted to watch him. The autopsy findings established alcohol poisoning as the cause of death identified in the case.
Eslick accepted responsibility in court
Addressing the court, Carter Eslick acknowledged his role in the activity. He told Martinez’s parents and the court that he accepted responsibility for his part in the ritual.
“I take full responsibility for the hand I played in that ritual.”
The statement came as Eslick faced sentencing for the felony hazing charge. His position as pledge master placed him among the fraternity members responsible for the activity, making his conduct a central issue in the criminal case.
Case renews attention on campus hazing risks
The case adds to continuing concerns about fraternity hazing and alcohol-related danger on college campuses. Hazing rituals can involve pressure to consume excessive amounts of alcohol, and the off-campus setting in this case did not prevent the activity from resulting in a criminal prosecution.
The sentence also highlights the importance of recognizing alcohol poisoning and seeking immediate medical assistance. Monitoring a person who has consumed a dangerous amount of alcohol is not a substitute for emergency care. In this case, the attempts to reposition and observe Martinez did not prevent his death.
| 1 | Carter Eslick received a two-month jail sentence. |
|---|---|
| 2 | He pleaded guilty to felony hazing in Coconino County Superior Court. |
| 3 | Colin Daniel Martinez died from alcohol poisoning at an off-campus fraternity house. |
| 4 | An autopsy found a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.45% shortly after his death. |
Summary
The sentencing of Carter Eslick follows a fatal hazing incident involving excessive alcohol consumption at an off-campus fraternity house near Northern Arizona University. His guilty plea and two-month jail term conclude the criminal case described here, while the death of Colin Daniel Martinez continues to illustrate the serious consequences of dangerous initiation rituals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was sentenced in the case?
Carter Eslick, a former Delta Tau Delta pledge master at Northern Arizona University, was sentenced to two months in jail.
What charge did Eslick admit?
He pleaded guilty to a felony hazing charge in Coconino County Superior Court.
How did Colin Daniel Martinez die?
Colin Daniel Martinez died from alcohol poisoning after consuming alcohol during a hazing activity at an off-campus fraternity house.