An 18-year-old Northern Arizona University student who died during a suspected hazing incident at a Delta Tau Delta fraternity event last week participated in a dangerous drinking game that involved consuming enormous amounts of alcohol within a short period.
Flagstaff police responded to a house on South Pinegrove Road, a short distance from the NAU campus, at around 8:44 a.m. on Jan. 31 where officers found the unidentified male student unresponsive.
Police and later paramedics tried lifesaving efforts, but he was pronounced dead at the house, Flagstaff police spokesperson Sgt. Jerry Rintala said.
The student who died was one of four pledge candidates for the fraternity who were told to dress warm and bring a pillowcase, a phone charger and anything they might need from home as they were to stay at the frat house that night, according to arrest documents The Arizona Republic, part of the USA TODAY Network, obtained.
Another pledge candidate told police that the four of them were driven around at roughly 10 p.m. on Jan. 30 before the pillowcases were placed over their heads. The candidates were taken to the frat house about an hour later and told to stand outside for 30 minutes without talking.
