A tragic incident unfolded in Arizona when a 19-year-old driver under the influence caused the deaths of three college students by crashing his Porsche into a crosswalk, as reported by law enforcement.
Authorities from the Tucson Police Department disclosed that on Thursday night, around 11 PM, Louis John Artal allegedly lost control of his sports car near the University of Arizona and subsequently fled the accident scene.
The victims, Sophia Akimi Troetel, aged 21, and her 22-year-old boyfriend, Josiah Patrick Santos, were struck while they were using the crosswalk. Tragically, they were pronounced dead at the location.
Additionally, Katya Rosaura Castillo Mendoza, also 21, was caught in the path of the vehicle. Despite being urgently taken to the hospital with critical injuries, she succumbed to them by Saturday.
Witnesses reported that Artal’s 2019 Porsche Boxster, valued at $60,000, was traveling significantly faster than the 30 mph speed limit when it collided with the pedestrians, according to police accounts.
In the aftermath of the deadly crash, Artal surrendered to the authorities in the early hours of Friday morning.
He was determined to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the fatal collision, according to authorities.
Artal has been booked into the Pima County Jail and charged with three counts of second-degree murder and one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death.
Louis John Artal, 19, allegedly killed three University of Arizona students after driving a speeding Porsche through a marked crosswalk on Thursday evening
Sophia Akimi Troetel, 21, and her boyfriend Josiah Patrick Santos, 22, died at the scene
‘Mr. Artal’s impairment, speeding, and failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk are the major contributing factors of this collision,’ the department stated.
Artal made his first court appearance virtually on Friday alongside his attorney, where a judge ruled he be held on a $250,000 cash bond.
The state argued he is from California with very few ties to the area, but his attorney said Artal also attends the University of Arizona, 13 News reported.
During the court appearance, friends and family of the deceased teens spoke while Artal, dressed in a white shirt, looked emotionless.
One of those people was Troetel’s mother, Shannon, who said she was there representing her daughter.
Shannon told the court her daughter, a college senior, was ‘callously killed last night.’
‘She was just 21. A thriving university of Arizona senior of the highest academic standing. She contributed greatly to her school and her community, she was loved and respected by all who knew her,’ the emotional mother added.
Katya Rosaura Castillo Mendoza, 21, was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after the crash and sadly died on Saturday after being taken off life support
According to witnesses, Artal’s 2019 Porsche Boxster was speeding ‘above the posted 30 mile per hour speed limit.’ Police said he was also under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the fatal collision
Shannon then said why she believes her daughter’s alleged killer should not be freed from jail.
‘I believe strongly that Mr. Artal’s reckless, thoughtless behavior, and complete and total disregard for the loss in human life demands the highest bail allowed and that he be remanded to custody,’ she said, adding she fears he ‘could be a flight risk.’
Mendoza’s older sister Allison Salinas then spoke up and talked on behalf of her family from the intensive care unit her sister was being held in. The hearing occurred before Mendoza was pronounced dead.
‘I’m calling right now from the ICU, and we’ve been here since six in the morning praying for a miracle. We decided that tonight at 9pm we will have to take Katya off of life support, and saying those words feels impossible,’ Salinas said as she cried.
‘Katya was the light of our lives… and losing her has torn our family apart. We are completely broken,’ she said before speaking directly about Artal.
‘I hope he knows he didn’t just take her life, he took a piece of all of ours.’
Santos’ mother, Mathia Santos, cried as she told Artal: ‘I cannot believe you drove away and left them there! May God have mercy on you.’
Santos and Troetel have been remembered as two people who were ‘full of life, love, and promise.’ They were also planning on a future together, Santos’ mother said
Santos and Troetel have been remembered as two people who were ‘full of life, love, and promise,’ a GoFundMe created by Santos’ mother stated.
The couple were ‘ready to begin their future together,’ the page detailed.
‘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. The world feels dimmer without their light,’ Mathia wrote.
The page was created to help support Santos’ family during this hard time. As of Sunday afternoon more than $26,000 was raised.
‘We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and all grieving those who lost their lives and our support to the injured student and their loved ones,’ the university said in a statement.
‘The university is providing direct support and resources to students, faculty, and staff affected by this tragic event.’
Adriana Grijalva, University of Arizona Student Body President, said there are plans to honor the students who lost their lives in the crash.
The Daily Mail contacted Pima County Sheriff’s Department and the Tucson Police Department for comment.
