Tragic Hazing Incident: Freshman Pledge Dies at Fraternity ‘Rush’ Event Gone Wrong

In a tragic incident in Arizona, an 18-year-old college student lost his life during a fraternity “rush” event that escalated into an alcohol-laden “hazing” party, as confirmed by the police.

The young man, a second-semester student at Northern Arizona University, was participating as a “pledge” candidate at a Delta Tau Delta fraternity event held on South Pine Grove Road in Flagstaff. The gathering, which took place on a Friday night, involved multiple individuals, including pledge candidates, reportedly consuming alcohol, according to officials and students.

The Flagstaff Police Department highlighted in a press release that numerous attendees were involved in alcohol consumption during the event.

The following morning, authorities were alerted after the teenage pledge was discovered unresponsive at the location where the Delta Tau Delta party had been held. His identity has not been released, pending further investigation.

“Bystanders inside the home initiated CPR before police arrived,” stated the police department. “Upon their arrival, officers found the individual not breathing and continued life-saving efforts on scene until paramedics took over. Tragically, despite these efforts, the individual was pronounced dead at the scene.”

In connection with the incident, three Northern Arizona University students, who are also members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, were arrested and charged with hazing. The individuals, all part of the fraternity’s executive board, have been identified as Carter Eslick, 20, serving as the new member educator; Ryan Creech, 20, the vice president; and Riley Cass, 20, the treasurer. They were booked into the Coconino County Detention Facility as the case unfolds.

The arrests came after detectives executed search warrants the day after the party and conducted several interviews of witnesses who were at the residence during it.

“Preliminary information indicates the deceased male … attended a gathering at the residence the previous evening, identified as a ‘rush’ event for the Delta Tau Delta fraternity,” police said. “Detectives are continuing to follow-up on additional leads, reviewing evidence, and coordinating with the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause and manner of death.”

Delta Tau Delta officials sent Law&Crime a statement on Monday saying they were “aware and deeply saddened by the tragic incident” at NAU that involved its members.

“The Fraternity is aware of an ongoing investigation into the incident and encourages its members’ cooperation with local law enforcement,” the statement said. “Delta Tau Delta is committed to partnering with local officials and the administration at Northern Arizona University to understand what led to this tragedy.”

Fraternity officials added that the chapter has been placed on an “interim suspension” by NAU and is prohibited from “any activities” and associated operations pending the outcome of both “the professional investigation and the subsequent internal investigation” being conducted by Delta Tau Delta.

“Our position on hazing is clear: it is the antithesis of brotherhood and a violation of the values of Delta Tau Delta,” the officials said. “Since our founding, the fraternity has maintained strong policies barring hazing, and our organization vigorously supports the implementation of anti-hazing legislation, such as ‘Jack’s Law’ in Arizona and federal laws, such as the 2024 Stop Campus Hazing Act.”

NAU released a statement about the student’s death, as well, which noted how the rush event took place at an off-campus residence.

“We want to be clear: The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priorities,” the school said. “The university is reviewing this matter under applicable university policies and student conduct processes, which are separate from the criminal justice system. In accordance with standard university processes, NAU has interim suspended Delta Tau Delta to allow a full investigation to take place and prioritize student safety.”

The university noted how “this loss has deeply affected our campus,” with students speaking to local media outlets in the wake of his death.

“I just think that it’s kind of crazy that people who go here could haze someone to such an extent that a kid is gone. It’s so daunting,” a female student told local Fox affiliate KSAZ. “He was literally in his second semester, hadn’t even finished the whole year. I’m sad. It’s not fair.”