In a shocking and heartbreaking turn of events, a seemingly harmless tradition at a college fraternity turns into a nightmare for one young student and his family.
What was supposed to be a night of connection and initiation quickly turned into a tragic ordeal that left 19-year-old Danny Santulli permanently disabled, blind, unable to speak, and confined to a wheelchair.
This disturbing incident, which occurred during a harassing ritual in October 2021, not only shattered a young man’s life but also raised critical questions about the dangers of uncontrolled fraternal practices.
The Santulli family’s desperate plea for justice now serves as a stark warning to others about the hidden dangers of ritual harassment that continue to plague college campuses across the country.
The family of a student left permanently blind, unable to speak, and unable to walk after taking part in a bullying ritual have issued a heartfelt warning to others.
Danny Santulli, the 19-year-old victim, suffered severe brain damage in a hazing incident in October 2021. Now his family is speaking out to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
Santulli was forced to drink an entire 1.75-liter bottle of Tito’s vodka and was force-fed beer through a tube during a gala event at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house. This excessive consumption of alcohol caused him to lose his ability to see, speak,k and walk.
The incident occurred during pledge night, an event where students who have accepted an offer to join a fraternity or sorority undergo initiation rites before being formally inducted. Disturbing footage from the night, showing Santulli unconscious on a couch in the house, was shown in court.
According to the lawsuit, the frat house provided not only alcohol but also illegal drugs such as cocaine and marijuana, with the intention of having a night to remember. They scoffed at promises that they would not continue drinking the bottles of vodka that were chained to their hands.
The lawsuit also points to another troubling detail: Santulli was allegedly ordered to climb into a garbage can filled with broken glass during his initiation.
Santulli was subjected to grueling tasks for a month, including cleaning fraternity brothers’ rooms, buying alcohol and marijuana, and running errands every hour. Despite his visible distress, no one called for medical help when he passed out, even though he was clearly suffering from severe alcohol poisoning with a blood alcohol content of 0.486 – six times the legal limit.
When Santulli was finally taken to hospital, his condition rapidly deteriorated and the damage was irreversible. He now requires constant care and has racked up over $2 million in medical bills. As a result of the traumatic brain injuries he suffered, Santulli is permanently disabled, blind, unable to speak, and confined to a wheelchair.
One of the students involved, Ryan P. Delanty, pleaded guilty and faces six months in prison at a May 24 sentencing. Delanty’s attorney, Stephanie Fortus, acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and said her client was pleased the resolution allowed him to avoid trial.
Following the incident, the fraternity chapter was disbanded and Santulli’s family took legal action that resulted in a settlement with the fraternity and its members. Other fraternity members, such as Samuel Gandhi and Alec Wetzler, also faced legal consequences and pleaded guilty for their roles in the events of October 2021.
Another fraternity member, Thomas Shultz, was found guilty of furnishing alcohol to a minor and received a 30-day prison sentence, probation, community service, and mandatory substance abuse education.
Harassment is usually defined as a form of bullying that involves degrading, humiliating, or dangerous tasks that often occur in student organizations such as fraternities and sororities. The University of Missouri has a strict anti-abuse policy that strongly opposes such practices, according to the institution’s leadership.
Santulli’s family have now spoken out to raise awareness of the dangers of harassment.
Santulli’s sister, Meredith, expressed her disgust at seeing the individuals involved in the incident walking around campus as if nothing had happened. “It makes me sick to my stomach,” she said in the interview.
Mary Pat Santulli, Danny’s mother, also shared her grief, highlighting the fact that despite Santulli’s obvious distress and the alarming signs of his condition, no one called 911. Nobody called 911. It’s like, I don’t know.’ I mean, a six-year-old calls 911.”
She further explained that her son would need lifelong care. “He still doesn’t talk or walk. He is in a wheelchair. He’s lost his sight, but he hears us and knows we’re here, and we’ll keep fighting. We’re not giving up hope.”
After this harrowing incident, the Santulli family made it clear that their fight for justice is not over. Danny’s tragic experience serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of abuse and its lasting effects. Still coming to terms with the cruel toll this event took on their lives, the family determined to raise awareness and urge others to be aware of their own risks of these dangerous rituals.
They hope their story will prevent similar tragedies and encourage greater accountability in organizations where abuse is a problem. With ongoing legal action and public statements, the Santulli family is determined to ensure that Danny’s suffering is not in vain and that those responsible for his condition are held accountable.