Frat Nightmare: This Minnesotan Is the Victim of ‘The Worst Fraternity Hazing Injury Ever’
Blindfolded, forced to chug vodka, and left to die – inside the gruesome frat hazing that destroyed a young Minnesotan’s life. 🌐 #News #EdenPrairieMN #Minnesota #Crime
EDEN PRAIRIE, MN – A new true-crime series is putting the tragic story of Danny Santulli back in the headlines. Santulli currently lives with his parents in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
In October 2021, Daniel “Danny” Santulli, a freshman at the University of Missouri in Columbia, became the victim of a severe hazing incident that would change his life forever. During a fraternity pledge event, Santulli was blindfolded, shirtless, and forced to drink an entire bottle of vodka taped to his hand.
This ritual led to catastrophic consequences, leaving the young man unable to see, walk, or speak due to severe brain damage caused by alcohol poisoning.
Hazing Incident Highlighted in New Docuseries
The tragic story of Danny Santulli is being revisited in A&E’s true-crime docuseries “Houses of Horror: Secrets of College Greek Life.”
The series explores the dangerous and often deadly consequences of hazing within Greek organizations. The show features interviews with former fraternity and sorority members, law enforcement, and experts who shed light on the darker side of college Greek life.
The Build-Up to a Tragedy
Before the incident, Danny was already struggling with the demands of fraternity life. His family reported that he was sleep-deprived, stressed, and facing financial strain due to the fraternity’s demands.
Despite his mother’s advice to leave the fraternity, Danny continued with the pledging process, which ultimately led to the tragic night that would change his life.
According to the docuseries, the events of that night were part of a ritual known as “pledge dad reveal night.” Danny was compelled to consume large amounts of alcohol, first hard liquor and then beer. By 11 p.m., security footage captured the visibly intoxicated Danny losing his balance and falling. Fraternity members carried him to a sofa, where his condition worsened.
A Night of Horror
The situation deteriorated further when Danny fell off the sofa at around 12:30 a.m. and was left on the floor for 15 minutes before being moved outside.
While being carried to a car to be taken to the hospital, fraternity members dropped him again. By the time they arrived at the hospital, Danny was in cardiac arrest and not breathing. His blood alcohol content was found to be 0.486%, six times the legal limit.
Legal and Family Response
Following the incident, Danny spent six weeks in the intensive care unit at the University of Missouri Hospital before being moved to a rehabilitation facility in Colorado. Doctors have stated that he will require lifelong care due to the extensive damage he suffered.
His family, devastated by the events, has become vocal advocates against hazing, seeking to raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
The Santulli family filed a civil lawsuit against the fraternity and 23 of its members, which was settled for an undisclosed amount in 2022. Several fraternity members faced criminal charges, with some receiving jail time and others being placed on probation.
Fraternity History and University’s Response
Phi Gamma Delta, also known as Fiji, the fraternity involved in the incident, has a documented history of violations. Since 2017, the Missouri chapter had multiple infractions related to alcohol distribution and hazing, according to university records.
Following Danny’s hospitalization, the chapter was permanently closed.
The University of Missouri also took disciplinary action against 13 former fraternity members. The university has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, but officials have stated that they are committed to preventing such incidents in the future.
A Warning to Others
As the new school year approaches, the Santulli family is urging other parents and students to be cautious about Greek life.
They emphasize the importance of education and awareness to prevent hazing tragedies from happening to other families. Danny’s story serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers that can lurk within college fraternities and sororities.
The Santulli family continues to care for Danny as he makes slow progress in his recovery. While their pain is far from over, they remain determined to hold those responsible accountable and to ensure that no other family has to endure the same heartbreak. The case of Danny Santulli is a powerful example of the need for greater scrutiny and reform within Greek organizations nationwide.
Photo of University of Missouri courtesy Wikipedia Commons.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
We value your feedback! Did you find this article informative, inspiring, or thought-provoking? Leave a comment below and join the discussion. We appreciate your opinion and look forward to hearing from you!
