Security footage captured the devastating moments before a University of Missouri student was left blind, paralyzed and unable to speak following a fraternity hazing ritual.
Daniel “Danny” Santulli was 19 years old when he attended a fraternity pledge event on Oct. 19, 2021. What happened that night would leave him with severe, life-altering brain damage.
The footage shows Santulli and other pledges being led down a staircase at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house, also known as Fiji. The students were shirtless and blindfolded as they were brought downstairs to take part in the hazing ritual.
According to court documents, Santulli was given a bottle of vodka that had been taped to his hand and was expected to finish it before the night was over.
The event was reportedly known as “pledge dad reveal night,” according to the New York Post.
Santulli became visibly intoxicated and lost his balance. Other fraternity members then carried him to a couch. He remained there for more than an hour.
At around 12:30 a.m., Santulli fell head-first from the sofa. He was left there for another 15 minutes before fraternity members appeared to check his pulse and eventually carried him outside.
During the process, they dropped him onto his head. He was then placed inside a car and driven to the hospital. He was not breathing and was in cardiac arrest while inside the vehicle.
Authorities later determined that his blood alcohol concentration was 0.486%. The Cleveland Clinic considers a blood alcohol level above 0.40% potentially fatal.
Santulli survived, but the consequences were devastating. He was left unable to walk, speak or see and will require lifelong care.
His family’s attorney has described what happened as “the worst fraternity hazing injury ever in the United States.”
His family wants answers
According to court documents obtained by the Columbia Tribune, Ryan Delanty was responsible for Santulli that night as his “pledge dad”. Shortly after he collapsed, Delanty sent a text message to a friend that read: “My son is dead.”
Santulli’s father, Tom, later chose to watch the security footage. He told Fox News Digital: “People say, ‘Are you sure you want to see it?’ Yes, I want to see what happened to my son,” according to VT.
“I do want to see the abuse. I want to see exactly what happened. And yes, I was blown away. But then again, I said, ‘I’m glad [I saw it].’
“Now we’re focused – now we’re on a mission, and we’re going to hold people accountable for what happened that evening.
“I think Danny’s alive… because other kids were not as fortunate when there was a hazing incident. He’s alive for a reason.”
The Santulli family has since made raising awareness about fraternity hazing a priority.
Fraternity member sentenced after pleading guilty
Delanty pleaded guilty to reduced misdemeanor charges related to hazing and supplying alcohol to a minor. He agreed to serve six months in jail, followed by another six months of house arrest.
During the court proceedings, Santulli’s brother, Nick, delivered a victim impact statement, saying: “On the night of Oct. 19, 2021, no one had Danny’s back. Because of peer pressure, he was left to die on that dreadful night.
“And they’ve shown no remorse, especially to our family.”
Delanty’s attorney, Stephanie Fortus, said her client was remorseful.
“He knows how devastating this has been to Danny’s family.
“He knows the injuries that Danny has suffered. He understands the recklessness of handing him that bottle of vodka that night.
“There is not a minute that goes by that he doesn’t wish that could change. I hope by [Delanty] pleading guilty and accepting this punishment, that everybody can start to move forward.”
The Santulli family also filed a civil lawsuit against the fraternity and 23 of its members. The case was ultimately settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
Attorney says hazing was part of a larger problem
David Bianchi, an attorney for the Santulli family who specializes in hazing litigation, said: “These are part of a pattern of unsafe and dangerous behavior that represents the traditions of the fraternity.”
The chapter was subsequently shut down after Santulli’s hospitalization.
Phi Gamma Delta Executive Director Rob Caudill previously expressed support for Santulli and his family.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Danny and the Santulli family.
“Danny should not have been put in such a situation. The International Fraternity prohibits hazing and the provision of alcohol to minors and expects all members to follow the law and our policies.
“We support anyone being held accountable for their conduct and the consequences that may result. The International Fraternity acted immediately to stop all activities of the chapter, which is now closed.”
Santulli’s story is set to be featured in A&E’s true-crime docuseries Houses of Horror: Secrets of College Greek Life.
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