Overview
- The Coconino County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was acute ethanol toxicity and ruled the death an accident, noting pulmonary and mild cerebral edema with caffeine and naloxone detected.
- Police say Colin Daniel Martinez, 18, attended a Delta Tau Delta rush event where four pledges shared two 1.75-liter bottles of vodka in a drinking game that encouraged drinking to the point of vomiting.
- Officers arrived at a South Pine Grove Road residence at 8:44 a.m. on Jan. 31 to find bystanders performing CPR; Martinez was pronounced dead at the scene.
- Three chapter officers—new member educator Carter Eslick, vice president Ryan Creech and treasurer Riley Cass, all 20—were arrested on suspicion of hazing as the Coconino County Attorney’s Office conducts a charging review.
- Northern Arizona University suspended the fraternity and the national organization later closed the NAU chapter, while medical experts warn how quickly high-volume alcohol consumption can become fatal and stress prevention and bystander intervention.