3 University of Arizona students die after being hit by suspected impaired driver while in a crosswalk, officials say
Two of the students died at the scene. Another died Saturday morning, officials said.
PHOENIX — Three University of Arizona students are dead after they were hit by a suspected impaired driver late Thursday night near campus, according to the Tucson Police Department.
Tucson police, University of Arizona Police and Tucson Fire crews responded to reports of multiple people hit by a car around 11 p.m. Oct. 30 at Euclid Avenue and Second Street.
When officers arrived, they found two people who were pronounced dead at the scene. They were identified as 21-year-old Sophia Akimi Troetel and 22-year-old Josiah Patrick Santos.
A third victim, 21-year-old Katya Rosaura Castillo Mendoza, was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries and died two days later, police said Saturday.
Investigators determined that a 2019 Porsche was traveling north on Euclid Avenue “above the posted 30 mph speed limit” when it hit the three students as they crossed in a marked crosswalk at Second Street, Tucson police said.
Police said the driver fled the scene before first responders arrived.
In the early morning hours of Oct. 31, the driver — identified as 19-year-old Louis John Artal — turned himself in to Tucson police. Officers with the department’s Impaired Driving Enforcement Unit determined that Artal was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash.
Artal was initially charged with two counts of second-degree murder, one count of aggravated assault causing serious physical injury and one count of leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Following Castillo Mendoza’s death, police said those charges will be amended to three counts of second-degree murder and one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death.
Police said impairment, speeding, and failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk were the major contributing factors in the crash.
The mayor of Tucson gave her condolences to the family and friends of the three students in a statement:
“My family and I want to extend our deepest condolences to the families and friends of University of Arizona students Sophia Akimi Troetel, Josiah Patrick Santos, and Katya Castillo-Mendoza during this difficult time.
Thank you to the first responders and everyone who rendered aid.”
The investigation remains ongoing.