A former leader of the Northern Arizona University fraternity chapter pleaded guilty Monday to a felony hazing charge in the death of an 18-year-old pledge who was found unresponsive after an off-campus rush event.
Guilty plea and expected sentence
Carter Eslick, 20, entered the plea in Coconino County Superior Court in Flagstaff. Under an agreement with prosecutors, Eslick faces up to four years of probation; a judge will determine the exact length and may impose up to one year in jail at a sentencing hearing set for Sept. 30.
What prosecutors say happened
Authorities say the case stems from a late-January incident in which fraternity pledges were pressured to consume large amounts of alcohol. The pledge who died, Colin Daniel Martinez, 18, was pledging to the chapter of Delta Tau Delta at NAU and was discovered unresponsive on Jan. 31.
| Detail | Reported Fact |
|---|---|
| Deceased | Colin Daniel Martinez, 18 |
| Accused | Carter Eslick, 20 |
| Charge | Felony hazing |
| Autopsy finding | Blood-alcohol level 0.425% |
| Sentencing hearing | Sept. 30 |
Court documents indicate Martinez and three other pledges shared two bottles of vodka in a manner intended to induce vomiting. Witnesses later described attempts to monitor Martinez’s condition overnight, including repositioning him and checking his pulse and breathing for signs of alcohol poisoning.
Official reaction and campus response
Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker said the guilty plea does not erase the damage done to Martinez’s family or the broader community. He emphasized the ongoing consequences of the incident for those affected.
“The plea doesn't diminish the profound harm caused or the sorrow of Colin's death.”
Following Martinez’s death, Northern Arizona University suspended the local Delta Tau Delta chapter. The national organization subsequently closed the NAU chapter, and Eslick is no longer enrolled as a student at the university. The case has drawn scrutiny over hazing practices and campus safety measures.
Legal consequences and what to expect
Eslick’s plea resolves the criminal charge against him under terms agreed with prosecutors. While the plea provides a cap on probation at four years, the judge retains discretion to impose jail time of up to one year at sentencing.
Media outlets seeking comment left messages for Eslick’s attorney and for Martinez’s family; those calls were not immediately returned.
- Charge: Felony hazing
- Autopsy result: Blood-alcohol level of 0.425%, a level medical examiners called life-threatening
- Organizational action: NAU suspended the local fraternity; the national Delta Tau Delta closed the chapter
Broader concerns about hazing and campus safety
The case highlights ongoing concerns about hazing rituals in Greek life nationwide, particularly when alcohol is involved. A blood-alcohol concentration above 0.40% is widely considered potentially fatal, and the autopsy finding cited in court documents places Martinez’s level well above that threshold. The facts laid out in court filings point to coordinated drinking and later attempts by peers to check for signs of life—actions that underscore the danger of forced intoxication.
University administrators, law enforcement and campus safety officials often review such incidents to determine whether more aggressive prevention, education or enforcement measures are needed. In this case, NAU moved quickly to suspend the campus chapter and the national organization closed it, signaling administrative action in addition to criminal prosecution.
What’s next
Eslick’s sentencing on Sept. 30 will formalize his punishment and any conditions of probation. The plea closes one chapter of the criminal case but does not remove the tragic loss endured by Martinez’s family, friends and the NAU community. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with hazing and the legal and personal consequences that can follow.
As the community awaits the sentencing, local officials and campus leaders are likely to continue assessing policies around fraternities, rush events and alcohol on and off campus.
