FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A former leader of a Northern Arizona University fraternity pleaded guilty Monday to a felony hazing charge tied to the death of a pledge who authorities say was forced to drink large amounts of alcohol during an off-campus rush event.
Guilty plea, probation agreement
Carter Eslick, 20, entered the plea in Coconino County Superior Court in Flagstaff in connection with the Jan. 31 death of 18-year-old Colin Daniel Martinez. Under a deal with prosecutors, Eslick would receive no more than four years of probation. A judge will set the exact probation length and may impose up to one year in jail at a sentencing hearing scheduled for Sept. 30.
Eslick, who served as the fraternity’s pledge master and was responsible for welcoming new members, is no longer enrolled at NAU. The chapter involved, Delta Tau Delta, was suspended by the university after Martinez’s death and later closed by the national organization.
What prosecutors say happened
Court documents say Martinez was among four men pledging to the Delta Tau Delta chapter who shared two bottles of vodka during a rush event. Witnesses told authorities they observed the men vomiting and checked Martinez’s breathing and pulse throughout the night, according to the records filed in court. He was later found unresponsive.
An autopsy showed Martinez had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.425%, a level medical experts consider life-threatening.
“The plea does not diminish the profound harm caused or the sorrow of Colin’s death,” Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker said.
Legal and community response
The plea resolves the single felony hazing count against Eslick under the prosecutor’s agreement. The Associated Press reported that Eslick’s lawyer, Burges McCowan, and the attorney for Martinez’s family were contacted for comment; the AP left messages seeking response.
Hazing prosecutions involving student organizations can result in a range of outcomes, from misdemeanor penalties to felony charges depending on circumstances and local statutes. In this case, prosecutors charged a felony tied directly to the fatality.
Timeline of key events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 31 | Colin Daniel Martinez was found unresponsive after an off-campus rush event. |
| Autopsy | Reported blood-alcohol level of 0.425% (date released in court documents). |
| Aug. 10 | Carter Eslick entered a guilty plea to a felony hazing charge. |
| Sept. 30 | Sentencing hearing scheduled in Coconino County Superior Court. |
Impact on campus and safety discussions
The case prompted immediate discipline from both NAU and the national fraternity organization. University officials suspended the Delta Tau Delta chapter after Martinez’s death; the national group ultimately closed the NAU chapter.
Student deaths linked to hazing and excessive alcohol consumption have renewed debates at colleges nationwide about fraternity oversight, rush practices and the enforcement of anti-hazing policies. Campus leaders and law enforcement agencies increasingly stress prevention measures, education and strict enforcement to deter similar tragedies.
Practical information and what to watch next
- The sentencing hearing for Eslick is scheduled for Sept. 30 in Coconino County Superior Court in Flagstaff.
- The plea carries a prosecutor-stated cap of four years probation and potential for up to one year in jail to be decided by the judge.
- NAU’s disciplinary actions included suspension and the national chapter’s closure, but any further university or civil actions were not detailed in court filings reported by news outlets.
As the community awaits sentencing, the case remains a focal point for families, students and officials advocating stronger measures to prevent hazing and reduce alcohol-related harms in collegiate settings.
Gabriela Montoya is the state correspondent for WE NEWS in Arizona.
