Daniel Santulli was a freshman at the University of Missouri in 2021. He joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and faced a tragic event on October 19 of that year. During a fraternity pledge event, Daniel was forced to drink an entire bottle of vodka.
The excessive alcohol consumption caused Daniel to collapse multiple times. Fraternity members carried him and left him on the floor. Daniel remained unresponsive for some time before being taken to the hospital.
At the hospital, doctors confirmed Daniel had suffered significant brain injuries due to alcohol poisoning. His blood alcohol level was over six times the legal limit when he was discovered unconscious. The incident left Daniel with severe brain damage, unable to walk, talk, or see.
Daniel’s parents, Mary Pat and Tom Santulli, have shared their painful experience. They watched security footage of the event, which showed Daniel struggling to stay upright and collapsing. Tom emphasized the importance of accountability for those involved.
Hazing’s tragic consequences at Missouri
The Santulli family now serves as Daniel’s primary caregivers. They receive support from nursing staff and specialists to help with his rehabilitation.
The emotional weight of the incident has been heavy for them. Since the incident, three fraternity members have pleaded guilty to charges related to their involvement. Daniel is regarded as one of the most severe hazing victims in U.S. history.
His family is advocating for awareness and reform to prevent similar incidents in the future. Mary Pat warns other parents about the risks of fraternity involvement. She urges them to research the history of organizations and recognize the potential dangers of peer pressure.
The Santulli family hopes Daniel’s story will serve as a cautionary tale and a call for change. The family believes Daniel survived for a reason. They want to help others recognize the severity of the issue of hazing.
Their aim is to share their pain and illuminate the pressing need for reform in college Greek life.
- FoxNews.”Missouri student, victim of ‘the worst fraternity hazing injury ever,’ is ‘alive for a reason’: parents”.
- DailyMail.”Missouri boy’s parents say their son is ‘alive for a reason’ after suffering horrific frat hazing that left hi”.
- Evrimagaci.”University Of Missouri Fraternity Hazing Left Teen Fighting For His Life”.