UPDATE: A tragic accident unfolded late Thursday night in Tucson, Arizona, when a 19-year-old driver rammed his speeding Porsche into a marked crosswalk, killing three college students. Authorities confirm that Louis John Artal crashed his $60,000 Porsche Boxster around 11 PM near the University of Arizona.
Victims Sophia Akimi Troetel, 21, and her boyfriend Josiah Patrick Santos, 22, were pronounced dead at the scene after being struck while crossing. A third victim, Katya Rosaura Castillo Mendoza, 21, succumbed to her injuries in the hospital on Saturday after being taken off life support. This heartbreaking incident has left families shattered and the community in mourning.
Witnesses reported that Artal was driving at speeds exceeding the posted 30 mph limit when he collided with the students. Following the horrific crash, he fled but later turned himself in to the Tucson Police Department. Officials confirmed that Artal was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident.
Artal has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder and one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death. In a virtual court appearance on Friday, a judge set his bond at $250,000. The state emphasized his ties to California and expressed concern over his potential flight risk.
During the hearing, emotional statements from family members highlighted the profound loss experienced by the victims’ loved ones. Troetel’s mother, Shannon, described her daughter as a “thriving senior” who was “callously killed.” She urged the court to keep Artal in custody, fearing he might escape justice.
“I hope he knows he didn’t just take her life; he took a piece of all of ours,” said Allison Salinas, sister of Mendoza, as she spoke from the ICU where her sister was being treated prior to her death.
Community support has surged, with a GoFundMe campaign for Santos’s family raising over $26,000 to assist them during this difficult time. Friends and family remember both Santos and Troetel as vibrant individuals full of promise and love, with plans for a future together.
The University of Arizona released a statement expressing condolences to the families and offering support to those affected by this devastating event. Student Body President Adriana Grijalva announced plans to honor the victims in a memorial.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, emphasizing that Artal’s reckless behavior and disregard for human life were key factors in this tragedy. As this story develops, the community remains united in grief, seeking justice and healing in the wake of this incomprehensible loss.
