Ex-Arizona frat leader gets jail time after pledge died of alcohol poisoning
Also reported by ABC News
Summary
A former Northern Arizona University fraternity leader, Carter Eslick, was sentenced to two months in jail for his role in a hazing ritual that caused the death of a pledge from alcohol poisoning. Eslick also received three years of supervised probation and must give many anti-hazing presentations as part of his sentence.Key Facts
- Carter Eslick pleaded guilty to a felony hazing charge connected to the death of Colin Daniel Martinez, 18.
- Martinez died on January 31, 2026, from alcohol poisoning with a blood-alcohol level of 0.425%, very high compared to the legal limit.
- Martinez and three other pledges consumed two bottles of vodka and tried to vomit as part of the fraternity ritual.
- Witnesses tried to monitor Martinez for signs of alcohol poisoning throughout the night but did not get emergency help.
- Eslick was the fraternity's pledge master, responsible for guiding new members during the ritual.
- Eslick apologized to the family and accepted full responsibility during the sentencing hearing.
- He must deliver 305 presentations against hazing as part of probation and avoid using drugs or alcohol unless prescribed.
- The fraternity chapter at Northern Arizona University was suspended and later closed after the incident.
