Three fraternity members have been arrested after a student died after attending a rush event.
The 18-year-old was found unresponsive on South Pine Grove Road in Flagstaff on Jan. 31 hours after he allegedly attended an event as a pledge at the Northern Arizona University chapter of Delta Tau Delta. Lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Alcohol consumption was reported and the deceased was among those drinking, police said.
Carter Eslick, 20, the fraternity’s new member educator; Ryan Creech, 20, fraternity vice president; and Riley Cass, 20, fraternity treasurer have been taken into custody by the Flagstaff Police Department.
“This is a devastating loss, and our hearts are with his family, friends and all members of our community who are grieving,” NAU said in a statement. “We want to be clear: The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priorities. Violence, hazing or any other behavior that endangers others has no place at NAU.”
The university says it is reviewing this matter. Delta Tau Delta has been temporarily suspended to allow a full investigation.
Counseling and support resources were available to faculty and staff, the university said.
Delta Tau Delta, one of many frats at NAU, was reinstalled in 2022 after being inactive for several years, according to the national fraternity’s website.
The chapter originally operated at NAU from 2000 to 2016 before closing because of low membership.
Delta Tau Delta chapters at other universities have faced discipline in recent years at schools like Tulane and Ohio.