Teen Porsche driver arrested after three University of Arizona students killed in drunken hit-and-run
Three college students are dead after a 19-year-old driver struck them in a marked crosswalk while under the influence.
Three University of Arizona students were killed in a hit-and-run by a 19-year-old driving under the influence, said police.
The students were struck while walking in a marked crosswalk near campus on Thursday night. The alleged driver of the Porsche, Louis John Artal, has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder and one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death, said the Tucson Police Department.
Offices with the TPD, the University of Arizona Police Department, and Tucson firefighters responded to North Euclid Avenue and East Second Street following reports of pedestrians being hit by a car around 11 p.m. When responders arrived, they pronounced Sophia Akimi Troetel, 21, and Josiah Patrick Santos, 22, dead at the scene.
A third pedestrian, Katya Rosaura Castillo Mendoza, 21, was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. She was pronounced dead at the hospital on Saturday, said officials.
"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 wrote in a statement.
Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sports and entertainment stories.
"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."
Witnesses told police that a 2019 Porsche Boxster was traveling north on Euclid Avenue, approaching East Second Street above the 30 mph speed limit. At the time, Troetel, Santos, and Mendoza were walking across North Euclid Avenue inside a crosswalk.
The Porsche didn't stop, said officials. Artal turned himself into police on Friday morning. A TPD officer with the agency's Impaired Driving Enforcement Unit tested Artal and found that 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 in a statement. "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 granted a $250,000 cash bond, according to jail records. A GoFundMe was created by Santos' mother, Mathia, who said that her son and Troetel were in a relationship.
"Last night, my beautiful son Josiah and his girlfriend Sophia were taken from us far too soon," Mathia wrote on the fundraiser page. "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."
She continued: "The world feels dimmer without their light. Please keep our family, and Sophia’s, in your thoughts and prayers as we try to find our way through this heartbreak."
As of Saturday night, the campaign raised nearly $24,000.