A 19-year-old University of Arizona student, identified as Louis John Artal, has been charged in a deadly hit-and-run that killed three fellow UA students near campus on Thursday night.
According to the Tucson Police Department (TPD), Artal was driving a Porsche Boxster at high speed while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs when he struck the victims — Sophia Akimi Troetel, 21; Josiah Patrick Santos, 22; and Katya Rosaura Castillo Mendoza, 21 — as they crossed a marked crosswalk near 2nd Street and Euclid Avenue around 11 p.m.
Troetel and Santos, who were dating, died at the scene. Castillo Mendoza was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and later pronounced dead on Saturday, officials confirmed.
Witnesses told police the Porsche was speeding well above the posted 30 mph limit before it hit the three pedestrians. The driver fled immediately after the crash, prompting an overnight search. Artal later turned himself in Friday morning and was subsequently charged with three counts of second-degree murder and one count of leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
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| Sophia Akimi Troetel, 21, and Josiah Patrick Santos, 22, were pronounced dead at the scene. |
Investigators said Artal was evaluated by officers from the Impaired Driving Enforcement Unit, who determined he was impaired at the time of the collision. He was booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Center and later granted a $250,000 cash bond.
The victims were all prominent members of the UA community. Troetel was the general manager of KAMP Student Radio and volunteered with the Pima County Attorney’s Office Victim Services Division. Santos was a talented performer affiliated with Arts Express Theatre and served as music director of a campus a cappella group. Castillo Mendoza studied finance and real estate development at the university.
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| 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 |
“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. We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, and loved ones. The university is providing support and resources to those affected by this devastating loss.”
A GoFundMe campaign launched by Josiah Santos’s mother, Mathia, described the immense loss felt by both families:
“Last night, my beautiful son Josiah and his girlfriend Sophia were taken from us far too soon. They were young, full of life, love, and promise—ready to begin their future together. The world feels dimmer without their light.”
Artal’s attorney stated that the teen had no prior criminal record, and that his parents have since traveled to Arizona to support him as the case moves forward.
The tragedy has deeply shaken the Tucson and University of Arizona community, highlighting the devastating consequences of impaired and reckless driving
