Fraternity Leader Sentenced to 60 Days in Jail for Student's Alcohol Poisoning Death

A fraternity leader has been sentenced to 60 days in jail for his role in the alcohol poisoning death of an 18-year-old student. Carter Eslick, 21, received the sentence on Wednesday in Coconino County Superior Court in Arizona, nearly a year after Colin Daniel Martinez died.

Martinez, a student at Northern Arizona University, was found unresponsive at the off-campus Delta Tau Delta fraternity house in Flagstaff on January 31. Police pronounced him dead at the scene. An autopsy revealed Martinez had a blood-alcohol content of 0.425 percent, which is more than five times the legal limit.

Eslick, who was the fraternity's pledge master, will also serve three years of supervised probation. Judge Stacy Krueger ordered that Eslick could face an additional 305 days in jail if he fails to complete anti-hazing presentations and file court updates every six months.

During the sentencing hearing, Chris Martinez, the victim's father, described the family's ongoing grief. "Every morning since January 31, our families have awakened to the reality that he is not coming home," he said. "No parent should ever have to bury their child."

Eslick apologized to Martinez's family, stating, "I am so incredibly deeply sorry for the events that happened on January 31, and I take full responsibility for the hand I played in that ritual." He added, "If I had known that one day somebody’s life could be in my hands, there is no way in hell I would have ever looked that way."

Prosecutors noted that Eslick provided the alcohol and established the rules for the drinking game that led to Martinez's death. Defense attorneys and Eslick's family members stated he was a designated driver and left the party early. However, the judge acknowledged that Eslick was aware of the potential dangers involved, citing his steps taken that indicated he understood the risks.

According to court documents, pledges, including Martinez, were instructed to drink excessive amounts of vodka as part of a drinking game. Martinez and three others reportedly consumed approximately 3.5 liters of vodka. Witnesses later observed Martinez snoring loudly and gagging. Around 3 a.m., individuals at the house searched for symptoms of alcohol poisoning before checking his pulse and breathing. A 911 call was not made until approximately six hours later.

Eslick, along with two other fraternity members, Ryan Creech and Riley Cass, were initially arrested on hazing charges. Creech was the vice president and Cass was the treasurer of the Delta Tau Delta chapter. The Coconino County Attorney's Office indicted Eslick after an independent review of evidence. He accepted a plea deal for one count of hazing, which led to his probation sentence.

The national leadership of Delta Tau Delta closed the Flagstaff chapter one month after Martinez's death. Martinez's family indicated they do not wish for further prison time for Eslick and instead want to focus on accountability and fostering change within Greek life.