Three University of Arizona students killed in hit-and-run crash near campus
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Three University of Arizona students died after police said a speeding 19-year-old driver behind the wheel of a Porsche crashed into them at a marked crosswalk near campus and disappeared into the night on Thursday.
Louis John Artal, 19, the alleged driver of the Porsche, is charged with three counts of second-degree murder and one count of leaving the scene of a fatal accident, according to the Tucson Police Department.
On Thursday around 11 p.m., Tucson Police Department (TPD) officers, University of Arizona Police Department (UAPD) and Tucson firefighters responded to North Euclid Boulevard and East Second Street for a report of multiple pedestrians struck by a car.
When officers and firefighters arrived on scene, they pronounced 21-year-old Sophia Akimi Troetel and 22-year-old Josiah Patrick Santos dead at the scene.
Louis John Artal, 19, the alleged driver of the Porsche, is charged with three counts of second-degree murder and one count of leaving the scene of a fatal accident. (Pima County Sheriff’s Department)
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The third pedestrian, later identified as Katya Rosaura Castillo Mendoza (21), was hospitalized in critical, life-threatening condition.
He was pronounced dead at the hospital on Saturday, according to officials.
The University of Arizona confirmed to Fox News Digital that all three victims were University of Arizona students.
“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 sincere condolences to their families, friends, loved ones and all who grieve these young lives tragically cut short. “The university is providing support and resources to students, faculty and staff impacted by this devastating loss.”
A GoFundMe campaign was set up by family members for two of the victims, Josiah Patrick Santos and Sophia Akimi Troetel.
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According to police, eyewitness accounts, along with roadway and physical evidence, indicated a 2019 Porsche Boxter was traveling north on Euclid Avenue and approaching East Second Street above the posted speed limit of 30 mph.
At the time, Troetel, Santos and Mendoza were walking eastbound along North Euclid Avenue inside a marked crosswalk at East Second Street.
Authorities claimed that the Porsche did not stop, hit pedestrians and fled the scene. Artal surrendered to Tucson police Friday morning.
According to authorities, a TPD officer in the agency’s Impaired Driving Enforcement Unit evaluated Artal and determined that he was impaired by alcohol and/or drugs at the time of the crash.
“Mr. Artal’s disability, speeding, and failure to yield to pedestrians at the crosswalk are the most important factors contributing to this collision,” the ministry wrote in a statement. “This investigation is ongoing and any additional information may be released as it becomes available at a later date.”
Three University of Arizona students were killed during the wreck. (Epics/Getty Images)
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Artal was placed in the Pima County Adult Detention Center and later given a $250,000 cash bond, according to jail records.
Santos’ mother, Mathia, started a GoFundMe campaign, stating that her son and Troetel were in a relationship.
“Last night my beautiful son Josiah and his girlfriend Sophia were taken from us too soon,” Mathia wrote on the site. “They were young, full of life, love and promise, ready to begin their future together. Josiah sang, danced, 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,” he continued. “Please keep our family and Sophia’s family in your thoughts and prayers as we try to recover from this heartbreak.”
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As of Saturday night, the campaign had raised nearly $24,000.
There have been 26 pedestrian deaths in Tucson this year, surpassing the city’s total of 25 pedestrian deaths in 2024.
