Former Fraternity Leader Sentenced in Tragic Hazing Death at Northern Arizona University
The tragic death of an 18-year-old student at Northern Arizona University has resulted in jail time and probation for a former fraternity leader. Carter Eslick, previously a pledge master for the Delta Tau Delta chapter, received a 60-day jail sentence and three years of supervised probation following his guilty plea to felony hazing charges.
Eslick, at the age of 20, pleaded guilty in August to his involvement in the death of Colin Daniel Martinez. The incident, which occurred during a fraternity rush event on January 30, 2026, involved Martinez and three other pledges consuming large amounts of vodka, leading to Martinez’s severe intoxication.
According to court records, witnesses tried to monitor Martinez after he displayed signs of heavy intoxication. Despite adjusting his sleeping position and checking vital signs, Martinez was found unresponsive the following morning. An autopsy by the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed alcohol poisoning as the cause of death, with a blood-alcohol level of 0.425%, significantly above Arizona’s legal limit for driving.
On the day of the incident, Eslick and two other fraternity members were taken into custody, but Eslick was the sole individual charged. In March, he was indicted on one count of felony hazing, which is classified as a class 4 felony in Arizona when it leads to death, compared to the typical class 1 misdemeanor.
During sentencing, Coconino County Superior Court Judge Stacy Krueger imposed a one-year jail term on Eslick, with all but 60 days suspended in exchange for community service. Eslick expressed remorse, addressing Martinez’s family and acknowledging his responsibility in the hazing incident. “And if I had known that — one day — somebody’s life could possibly be in my hands, there’s no way in hell I ever would have even looked that way,” Eslick remarked.
Eslick, no longer a student at NAU, conveyed his intention to educate young people on the perils of hazing. “With my life, I want to spend every day talking to 18-year-olds, 20-year-olds, 21-year-olds across America, and letting them know how dangerous this culture can be,” he stated. “I now know how dangerous hazing can be.”
In the aftermath of Martinez’s death, NAU suspended the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, and the national organization subsequently decided to permanently close the university’s chapter.
Meanwhile, in a related note, Gov. Katie Hobbs announced the restoration of $16.5 million in university funding, which was previously cut due to the state budget’s reductions. Northern Arizona University is set to receive approximately $2.5 million of this funding.
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