Plea follows death of 18-year-old pledging at off-campus event
A former Northern Arizona University fraternity leader pleaded guilty Monday to a felony hazing count tied to the death of an 18-year-old student who was pledging the fraternity, court records show.
In Coconino County Superior Court in Flagstaff, 20-year-old Carter Eslick entered the plea in the case stemming from the Jan. 31 death of Colin Daniel Martinez. Prosecutors say Martinez was forced to drink excessively during an off-campus rush event while pledging the now-defunct Delta Tau Delta chapter at NAU.
Under the terms of the agreement with prosecutors, Eslick faces a period of probation of no more than four years. A judge will set the exact length of probation and may impose up to one year in jail at a sentencing hearing scheduled for Sept. 30, according to court filings.
Medical findings and incident details
An autopsy showed Martinez had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.425%, a level widely recognized by medical experts as life-threatening. Court documents filed in the case say Martinez and three other men pledging Delta Tau Delta shared two bottles of vodka in an effort to make themselves vomit, and that witnesses monitored Martinez through the night — adjusting his position and checking for breathing and a pulse.
“The plea does not diminish the profound harm caused or the sorrow of Colin’s death,” Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker said.
Eslick, who served as the fraternity’s pledge master and was responsible for orienting new members, is no longer enrolled as a student at Northern Arizona University.
Campus and chapter consequences
Following Martinez’s death, NAU suspended the Delta Tau Delta chapter. The national fraternity organization also closed the campus chapter, removing its presence at the university.
The case has renewed scrutiny of fraternity conduct, student safety at rush events and the enforcement of anti-hazing policies on and off campus.
- Legal next steps: Sentencing is set for Sept. 30, when the judge will decide probation length and whether to impose jail time.
- University response: The NAU chapter was suspended and the national organization closed the local chapter after the incident.
- Public safety concerns: The case highlights the risks of extreme alcohol consumption and the need for monitoring and intervention during student social events.
What the records say
Court documents describe a scene in which Martinez and other pledges engaged in coordinated excessive drinking. Witnesses told investigators they tried to help Martinez during the night by repositioning him and checking vital signs, but he was later found unresponsive. The charges filed against Eslick centered on allegations that he caused Martinez’s death by participating in or directing hazing activity that encouraged dangerous alcohol consumption.
| Date | Victim | Defendant | Autopsy BAC | Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 31 | Colin Daniel Martinez, 18 | Carter Eslick, 20 | 0.425% | Felony hazing |
Community reaction and broader context
The plea agreement does not erase the outrage and grief expressed by family members, classmates and university officials after Martinez’s death. Local prosecutors stressed that accepting the plea does not lessen the seriousness of the outcome.
Hazing-related deaths have prompted legislative and campus-level reforms across the country in recent years, including stricter criminal penalties, mandatory anti-hazing education and increased monitoring of Greek life activities. In this case, public records and statements from the county attorney emphasize the fatal consequences of alcohol-based hazing rituals.
As the legal process moves toward sentencing, questions remain about accountability for others who were present and the measures universities and national fraternities will adopt to prevent similar incidents.
Authorities in Flagstaff have not announced additional charges beyond the plea. The Associated Press and other outlets left messages seeking comment from Eslick’s attorney and Martinez’s family; responses were not immediately available, according to court records and media notes.
The case will return to Coconino County Superior Court on Sept. 30 for the sentencing hearing that will formally determine Eslick’s punishment under the plea deal.
Local officials urge students and families to be aware of the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption and to report hazing or coercive behaviors to university or law enforcement authorities.
