Left inset: Louis Artal (Pima County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: Josiah Santos and Sophia Troetel (GoFundMe). Background: The scene of the hit-and-run in Tucson, Ariz., where Louis Artal allegedly struck and killed three people, including couple Josiah Santos and Sophia Troetel (KGO/YouTube).
An Arizona college student is accused of fatally striking three pedestrians with his Porsche while they crossed at a designated crosswalk. Following the incident, the student reportedly rushed home to seek assistance from his affluent father in California, who has “significant resources,” according to reports.
During Louis Artal’s initial court appearance last week, Andrea Santos, the mother of 22-year-old Josiah Santos, one of the victims, expressed her disbelief, saying, “I cannot believe that you drove away and left them there,” as reported by the Arizona Daily Star.
Artal, aged 19, is charged with causing the deaths of Santos, his girlfriend Sophia Troetel, 21, and Katya Rosaura Castillo Mendoza, 21, while allegedly under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to a statement from the Tucson Police Department.
The release detailed that witness accounts and evidence showed a 2019 Porsche Boxster was speeding north on Euclid Avenue when it hit the three pedestrians, who were crossing East Second Street in a marked crosswalk. The driver did not stop and instead fled the scene.
Artal’s attorney, during a court session covered by local CBS affiliate KOLD, acknowledged Artal’s involvement in the incident. The lawyer stated that after the crash, Artal contacted his father, a prominent business owner in California, for assistance.
The father reportedly advised Artal to surrender to authorities, which he did. The defense argued that the substantial financial resources spent on hiring a private attorney indicated Artal’s intention to remain in Arizona and requested bail for his release.
“I’m not trying to in any way take away from the seriousness of the offense, but my client got scared and didn’t know what to do,” the attorney said, according to the Daily Star, noting how Artal has no criminal record.
“He has complete disregard for law and human life and demands the highest bail allowed,” Sophia Troetel’s mother reportedly told the court while asking for the highest bail possible.
Everyone involved in the hit-and-run, including Artal, has been identified as a student at the University of Arizona. The three victims were all pronounced dead at the scene.
“Artal’s impairment, speeding, and failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk are the major contributing factors of this collision,” Tucson police said in the department’s press release.
Artal has been charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault with serious injury, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. His bail was set at $250,000.
