Three Fraternity Leaders Charged Following Northern Arizona University Pledge Death
Three executive board members of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity at Northern Arizona University (NAU) have been charged with hazing in connection with the death of an 18-year-old pledge. Police arrested Carter Eslick, 20, the chapter’s new member educator; Ryan Creech, 20, the vice president; and Riley Cass, 20, the treasurer, following the discovery of the unresponsive student at an off-campus residence on Saturday morning.
According to court documents released regarding the incident, the victim and other potential new members were allegedly instructed to pass around and consume two large bottles of vodka during a “rush” event on Friday night. Investigators state the drinking activity was intended to induce vomiting among the participants. The student, whose name has not been released pending family privacy, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
Witness statements included in the investigation note that some attendees claimed the alcohol provided to the pledges had been diluted with water. Reports further indicate that fraternity members and bystanders attempted to perform CPR and monitored the student’s condition after he began snoring loudly, later checking for a pulse before authorities were eventually contacted.
In response to the tragedy, Northern Arizona University has placed the Delta Tau Delta chapter on interim suspension and is conducting an independent review. The national Delta Tau Delta organization also suspended the local chapter’s operations, issuing a statement that hazing is a violation of their values and the antithesis of brotherhood. Defense attorneys for the three accused students have not yet issued public comments regarding the charges.
crimeonline.com
wdrb.com
cbsnews.com
