Three University of Arizona students are dead after a speeding, impaired 19-year-old driver allegedly struck them in a marked crosswalk near campus and fled the scene on Thursday night.
The alleged driver, Louis John Artal, 19, is charged with three counts of second-degree murder and one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death, according to the Tucson Police Department.
### Incident Details
At about 11 p.m. Thursday, officers from the Tucson Police Department (TPD), the University of Arizona Police Department (UAPD), and Tucson firefighters responded to North Euclid Avenue and East Second Street following reports of multiple pedestrians hit by a car. Upon arrival, emergency personnel pronounced Sophia Akimi Troetel, 21, and Josiah Patrick Santos, 22, dead at the scene.
A third pedestrian, later identified as Katya Rosaura Castillo Mendoza, 21, was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and in critical condition. Tragically, she was pronounced dead at the hospital on Saturday.
The University of Arizona confirmed to Fox News Digital that all three victims were students at the university.
### University Response
“The University of Arizona community is deeply saddened by the collision that claimed the lives of three of our students—Sophia Troetel, Josiah Santos and Katya Castillo-Mendoza,” school officials said in a statement. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, loved ones, and all who are grieving these young lives cut tragically short. The university is providing support and resources to students, faculty, and staff affected by this devastating loss.”
### Investigation
Witness interviews and physical and roadway evidence indicated that a 2019 Porsche Boxter was traveling north on Euclid Avenue, approaching East Second Street, at a speed above the posted 30 mph limit. At the time, Troetel, Santos, and Mendoza were crossing east across North Euclid Avenue inside a marked crosswalk.
According to police, the Porsche did not stop, struck the pedestrians, and fled the scene.
Artal turned himself in to Tucson police the following morning. An officer from the Impaired Driving Enforcement Unit evaluated Artal and found he was impaired by alcohol and/or drugs at the time of the crash.
“Mr. Artal’s impairment, speeding, and failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk are the major contributing factors of this collision,” the department wrote. “This investigation remains ongoing, and any additional information may be released at a later date as it becomes available.”
Artal was booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Center and later granted a $250,000 cash bond.
### Family and Community Response
A GoFundMe campaign was created by Josiah Santos’ mother, Mathia, who noted that her son and Sophia Troetel were in a relationship.
“Last night, my beautiful son Josiah and his girlfriend Sophia were taken from us far too soon,” Mathia wrote. “They were young, full of life, love, and promise—ready to begin their future together. Josiah sang, he danced, he acted; he lit up every room he entered and brought laughter to everyone who knew him. Sophia matched his warmth with a beautiful soul and a smile that could brighten the darkest day. The world feels dimmer without their light.”
She added, “Please keep our family, and Sophia’s, in your thoughts and prayers as we try to find our way through this heartbreak.”
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This tragic event has deeply affected the University of Arizona community and the Tucson area, prompting calls for increased awareness around pedestrian safety and impaired driving prevention.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/teen-driver-charged-killing-three-university-of-arizona-students-porsche-hit-run-crosswalk-crash
