Three University of Arizona Students Killed in Tragic Hit-and-Run
In a devastating incident that has shaken the University of Arizona community, three students lost their lives after being struck by a speeding Porsche in a marked crosswalk near campus. The victims—21-year-old Sophia Akimi Troetel, 22-year-old Josiah Patrick Santos, and 21-year-old Katya Rosaura Castillo Mendoza—were crossing North Euclid Avenue at East Second Street around 11 p.m. on Thursday when the tragedy occurred. Troetel and Santos were pronounced dead at the scene, while Castillo Mendoza was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, where she sadly succumbed to her injuries on Saturday. The University of Arizona expressed profound sadness over the loss, offering condolences to the families and providing support resources to the campus community affected by this heartbreaking event.
The alleged driver, 19-year-old Louis John Artal, turned himself in to Tucson police Friday morning after fleeing the scene. Authorities have charged him with three counts of second-degree murder and one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death. According to police, Artal was driving a 2019 Porsche Boxter well above the posted 30 mph speed limit when he struck the pedestrians who were lawfully using the marked crosswalk. A Tucson Police Department officer evaluated Artal and determined he was impaired by alcohol and/or drugs at the time of the collision. Police cited his impairment, speeding, and failure to yield to pedestrians as the major contributing factors in this devastating crash. Following his arrest, Artal was granted a $250,000 cash bond.
The sudden loss of these young lives has left their families and the university community reeling. Santos and Troetel were in a relationship, adding another layer of tragedy to the already heartbreaking situation. Santos’ mother, Mathia, established a GoFundMe campaign that has raised nearly $24,000 as of Saturday night. In her moving tribute, she described her son as someone who “sang, danced, acted — he lit up every room he entered and brought laughter to everyone who knew him.” She remembered Sophia as having “a beautiful soul and a smile that could brighten the darkest day,” adding poignantly that “the world feels dimmer without their light.” These personal remembrances humanize the victims beyond mere statistics, illustrating the vibrant young lives cut tragically short and the profound grief felt by those who loved them.
This horrific incident occurs amid growing concerns about pedestrian safety in Tucson. With these three deaths, the city has now recorded 26 pedestrian fatalities this year, already surpassing the 25 total pedestrian deaths in 2024. The tragedy highlights the potentially devastating consequences of impaired and reckless driving, particularly in areas with high pedestrian traffic like university campuses. The victims were doing everything right—using a marked crosswalk, walking together, and following traffic laws—yet still fell victim to an allegedly impaired driver who made the fateful decision to get behind the wheel while under the influence and subsequently flee after causing catastrophic harm.
The community response has been one of collective grief and support. The University of Arizona’s statement acknowledging these “young lives cut tragically short” reflects the somber mood on campus as students, faculty, and staff grapple with the sudden loss of three of their own. The substantial fundraising through the GoFundMe campaign demonstrates the community’s desire to support the grieving families in whatever ways possible. In moments like these, the campus community often comes together through vigils, memorials, and other expressions of solidarity that help process collective grief while honoring the memories of those lost. Though not explicitly mentioned in the original article, such gatherings typically become important parts of the healing process for university communities affected by tragedy.
As the investigation continues, this case serves as a painful reminder of how quickly lives can be changed forever by preventable tragedies. Three promising students with bright futures ahead—a couple in love and their friend—were suddenly taken from their loved ones and the world. Their deaths underline the critical importance of traffic safety, the dangers of impaired driving, and the need for continued vigilance in protecting pedestrians, particularly in college towns where walking is common. While the legal process moves forward for the alleged driver, the families of Sophia Troetel, Josiah Santos, and Katya Castillo Mendoza begin the unimaginable journey of grieving their beloved children whose lives were cut short just as they were blossoming into adulthood—a profound loss that will be felt by the entire University of Arizona community and beyond for years to come.
