Ex-fraternity leader at Arizona university gets jail time after pledge
died of alcohol poisoning
[October 01, 2026]
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A former Northern Arizona University
fraternity leader was sentenced to two months in jail Wednesday for his
role in a hazing that led to the death of a pledge.
Carter Eslick, 20, also received three years of supervised probation
during a sentencing hearing in Coconino County Superior Court. Eslick
had pleaded guilty to a felony hazing charge in the Jan. 31 death of
Colin Daniel Martinez, 18, at an off-campus house. |

Carter Eslick during his sentencing hearing in Coconino County Superior
Court in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (Mark Henle/The
Arizona Republic via AP, Pool) |
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An autopsy found Martinez died of alcohol poisoning with a
blood-alcohol content of 0.425% — more than five times the
state's legal limit for drivers 21 and over.
Martinez was among four Delta Tau Delta pledges who shared two
bottles of vodka to ensure they vomited, according to court
documents. Witnesses reported adjusting Martinez’s sleeping
position and checking his pulse and breathing to look for signs
of alcohol poisoning throughout the night, the documents said.
Martinez's parents appeared remotely in court, still grieving
their son, and said they want accountability and reform within
Greek life, Phoenix television station azfamily.com reported.
Eslick was the fraternity’s pledge master at the time and was
responsible for welcoming new members. He apologized Wednesday
to Martinez's family and said he takes “full responsibility for
the hand I played in that ritual.”
Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker said no sentence can undo
the harm to the Martinez family.
“My hope is that this case helps people understand the serious
dangers of hazing and encourages them to speak up and intervene
before another family experiences this kind of loss,” Barker
said in a statement.
Judge Stacy Krueger said Eslick knew what he did was dangerous
and was troubled that no one spoke out against it.
Eslick could face additional jail time if he doesn't meet the
conditions of probation, which include creating and delivering
305 anti-hazing presentations and keeping the court updated on
his progress. He also can't use alcohol or drugs unless
prescribed.
The university suspended the fraternity after Martinez’s death,
and the national organization later closed the NAU chapter.
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