Fraternity Hazing
Samuel H. Martinez Hazing Death
Martinez, Estate of Samuel H. vs. Washington State University, Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and Individual Defendants
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Case Details
– Superior Court of the State of Washington, Kings County, Case No. 20-2-11998-9 SEA
Who: Samuel H. Martinez was a freshman student whose death occurred in connection with alcohol-related fraternity conduct at Washington State University.
What Happened: Washington State University freshman, Samuel Martinez, 19, died from alcohol poisoning in November 2019 while attending an event at the Alpha Tau Omega.
Martinez and another pledge were allegedly ordered to finish a half-gallon of rum between them and his blood-alcohol content was measured at 0.372 after his death, nearly five times the legal limit.
Pullman Police originally ruled out hazing, but later rescinded that statement following witness interviews. The coroner later ruled Martinez died accidentally from acute alcohol intoxication and said 911 was not called until four hours after he died.dants.
Results
Washington State University was initially dismissed from the matter, but In January 2025, “in a landmark decision, the Washington State Court of Appeals ruled that Washington State University (WSU) bears responsibility for the 2019 alcohol-related death of a freshman student, marking the first time a university has been held accountable for a hazing-related fatality in the state.”
The Court of Appeals found WSU was aware of ATO’s problematic past but didn’t implement effective measures. University and law enforcement documents reveal that despite numerous reports about ATO’s conduct filed to campus authorities in the five years before Sam died, disciplinary actions were minimal.
Impact
The ruling marked the first time a university in Washington State has been held accountable for a hazing-related fatality, significantly expanding institutional responsibility for student safety and alcohol-related fraternity misconduct.
In the Media
WSU was Aware of Hazing Problems on Greek Row Before Sam Martinez’s Death, Parents Allege
60 Minutes: How Hazing Led to the Death of Our Client, Sam Martinez – Douglas Fierberg Sits Down with Anderson Cooper
Their son died in a hazing incident at WSU. They’ve since worked to change Washington’s laws around hazing
Anti-hazing “Sam’s Law” enacted in Washington
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