Not Dead!
Good news! I checked some online phone books, and found a familiar-sounding address in Dez's hometown, so I called it. I just got off the phone with Dez's dad. Apparently Dez is not in the hospital, and has since returned to school. I dunno why he isn't answering his cell, but I don't really care at the moment. I've got a confirmed "not dead" from his father, and that's a huge relief.