An autopsy report confirmed the 18-year-old Northern Arizona University student who drank an excessive amount of vodka at a fraternity event died of alcohol poisoning.
Colin Daniel Martinez, 18, was found unresponsive at a Flagstaff home Jan. 31 following a rush party for the Delta Tau Delta fraternity.
The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office determined his blood-alcohol level was 0.425% — more than five times the state’s legal driving limit.
Flagstaff police arrested three 20-year-old leaders of the fraternity on suspicion of hazing: Vice President Ryan Creech, New Member Educator Carter Eslick and Treasurer Riley Cass. The students could face criminal charges in connection with Martinez’s death.
Chief Deputy County Attorney Michael Tunink told KNAU that the Coconino County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case “with great care” to determine if criminal charges should be filed.
Tunink declined to provide a potential timeline for the decision due to the pending investigation.
According to court documents, Martinez and three other candidates for the fraternity shared two bottles of vodka to ensure they vomited.
Witnesses told investigators they monitored Martinez throughout the night, readjusting his sleeping position and checking his pulse and breathing as they researched symptoms of alcohol poisoning.
NAU suspended the Delta Tau Delta fraternity after Martinez’s death. The national organization permanently closed the chapter soon after.
This article was updated to include comments from the Coconino County Attorney’s Office.
