The family of Danny Santulli, a student left permanently blind and unable to speak or walk, has issued a powerful warning about the dangers of hazing.
Danny sustained catastrophic brain damage in October 2021 during a hazing incident at the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity house, when he was just 19 years old.
According to The Independent, he went into cardiac arrest after being forced to drink a 1.75-liter bottle of Tito’s vodka and had beer forcibly fed to him through a tube. The extreme alcohol intake left him with permanent, life-altering injuries.
Now, his family is speaking out, hoping their tragedy can serve as a wake-up call to prevent others from suffering the same fate.
Danny Santulli suffered devastating brain damage as a result of a fraternity hazing incident in October 2021. According to his family, the traumatic events took place during a pledge night—a ritual where new members who’ve accepted bids undergo activities to be officially welcomed into the fraternity.
Disturbing footage shown in court captured the freshman unconscious on a couch inside the fraternity house. Legal documents describe the night as one fueled by alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine, intended to be an unforgettable experience. Pledges were reportedly pressured to keep drinking, with vodka bottles duct-taped to their hands, and were insulted—called “p*****s”—if they refused.
The lawsuit also reveals that Santulli was forced to climb into a trash can that contained broken glass. For a month leading up to the incident, he had been subjected to relentless demands—sleep-deprived, using his own money to buy items for fraternity members, and running errands for food, alcohol, and drugs at all hours.
Just two nights before the hazing, Santulli told his sister he was overwhelmed and wanted out. Despite clear signs of severe distress the night of the incident, no one called for help. His blood alcohol level reached 0.486—six times the legal driving limit—before he was finally taken to the hospital.
By then, the damage was irreversible. Santulli is now permanently disabled, requires round-the-clock care, and his medical bills have surpassed $2 million.
Danny Santulli’s family has issued an urgent warning to others. Credit: Family Handout
Santulli remains permanently disabled, blind, unable to communicate verbally, and reliant on a wheelchair for mobility, all stemming from the traumatic brain injuries inflicted during the ordeal.
One of the students involved in the incident, Ryan P. Delanty, has pleaded guilty and is facing six months of jail time, according to the Daily Mail.
Delanty’s attorney, Stephanie Fortus, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, expressing her client’s satisfaction with the resolution that avoided a trial.
In the aftermath of the incident, the fraternity chapter was disbanded, and Santulli’s family pursued legal action, resulting in a settlement with the fraternity and its members.
In addition to Delanty, other fraternity members, including Samuel Gandhi and Alec Wetzler, faced legal repercussions, pleading guilty to their roles in the events of October 2021.
Thomas Shultz, another fraternity member, was also held accountable, pleading guilty to charges related to supplying alcohol to a minor. He received a 30-day jail sentence, probation, community service, and mandatory education programs on substance abuse.
Hazing is a form of initiation that often involves humiliating, degrading, or dangerous activities imposed on new members joining certain social groups. It is most commonly linked to student organizations, particularly fraternities and sororities, according to Britannica.
At the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), hazing is explicitly condemned. “Hazing is opposed by all sororities and fraternities at UMKC and is not tolerated,” the university states. “UMKC and all national and international headquarters have strict anti-hazing policies that all chapters must adhere to.”
Following a tragic hazing incident, the family of Daniel Santulli has spoken publicly to warn others about the dangers of such practices.
“It makes me sick to my stomach seeing the people involved that harmed Danny walking around campus, acting like they did nothing wrong,” Daniel’s sister, Meredith, told ABC.
His mother, Mary Pat Santulli, added: “Just the fact that they knew he was in distress and his lips were blue, and nobody called 911. It’s, like, I don’t know. I mean a six-year-old calls 911.
“He’ll need care for life. He’s still not talking or walking. He’s in a wheelchair. He lost his vision but he hears us, and he knows we’re there. And we’ll just keep fighting, and we’re not going to give up hope.”
In the aftermath of the incident, the Santulli family filed a civil lawsuit against the fraternity and 23 of its members. The case was settled out of court in 2022, and the fraternity chapter involved has since been shut down.
