UPDATE (Nov. 10, 5:35 p.m.):
According to documents from Pima County Superior Court, 19-year-old Louis Artal is now charged with three counts of Manslaughter and Hit-and-Run with Death/Injury following Monday's court appearance. Before, Artal was charged with second-degree murder. As of Monday night, Artal was listed as an inmate in the Pima County Jail on a $250,000 cash bond.
The Pima County Attorney's Office says Artal's case is being conflicted out to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office since one of the victims was a volunteer in the Victim Services Division for more than two years. In a Facebook Post, Pima County Attorney, Laura Conover, said Sophia Troetel was getting ready to start her internship before her death.
UPDATE (Nov. 3, 9:47 a.m.):
According to an interim complaint obtained by KGUN 9, the suspect Artal said he had last consumed alcohol at around 10:30 p.m. that night. He admitted that he had been involved in a collision, the complaint said.
Artal said he left the scene of the crash, the complaint said, because his apartment was nearby and he had left his vehicle there. Officers located the vehicle at the address Artal provided.
Artal said he denied consuming any drugs or alcohol after the crash, the complaint said.
UPDATE (Nov. 1 - 1:30 p.m.):
The third pedestrian involved in Thursday night’s crash near the University of Arizona has died, police have confirmed.
The Tucson Police Department has confirmed that Katya Castillo-Mendoza died on the morning of November 1.
The driver had been charged and is being held on a $250,000 bond. There will be an arraignment in two weeks.
The crash also claimed the lives of Sophia Akimi Troetel, 21, and Josiah Patrick Santos, 22, both seniors at the University of Arizona.
The Santos' family released a statement Saturday, saying they are “devastated beyond words” and calling for city leaders to act now.
“These three beautiful souls were full of love, laughter, drive, and light,” the statement reads. “Josiah brought music and joy wherever he went. Sophia was radiant and fierce, with a heart that loved deeply and inspired everyone around her. Katya was kind, full of energy and compassion, and a friend to so many — another brilliant light gone far too soon.”
“Our hearts are shattered. Three young people with their whole lives ahead of them are gone — because of one person’s choice to drive impaired and recklessly, ignoring every warning and endangering others,” the families wrote.
“We trust that the justice system will continue to pursue full accountability for the lives that were taken.”
“We will not be silent. We will speak their names. Josiah Patrick Santos, Sophia Akimi Troetel, and Katya Castillo-Mendoza. Their light will continue to shine through every voice demanding change, accountability, and justice.”
The Santos family said a Celebration of Life for Josiah will be announced once arrangements are made.
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UPDATE (Oct. 31 - 9:00 p.m.):
Tucson Police have identified the driver in Thursday night’s deadly hit-and-run near the University of Arizona as 19-year-old Louis John Artal.
Investigators say Artal was driving a 2019 Porsche Boxster northbound on Euclid Avenue at high speed when he struck three pedestrians crossing in a marked crosswalk at East Second Street around 11 p.m. Thursday.
Two of the pedestrians, 21-year-old Sophia Akimi Troetel and 22-year-old Josiah Patrick Santos, were pronounced dead at the scene. A third victim remains in critical condition.
Police say Artal fled before first responders arrived, but later turned himself in to Tucson Police early Friday morning. Officers determined that alcohol and/or drugs had impaired him at the time of the crash.
Artal was booked into the Pima County Jail and faces multiple charges, including two counts of Second-Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault (Serious Physical Injury), and Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Death.
TPD says impairment, speeding, and failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk were the major contributing factors in the crash.
The investigation remains ongoing.
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UPDATE (Oct. 31 - 5:00 p.m.):
The Tucson Police Department said that the 19-year-old driver involved in the crash has been detained.
More details will be in a media release, police said.
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UPDATE (Oct. 31 - 4:30 p.m.):
The University of Arizona confirmed Friday afternoon that the two pedestrians killed in Thursday night’s hit-and-run were students Sophia Troetel and Josiah Santos.
A third student, Katya Castillo-Mendoza, remains hospitalized with serious injuries.
In a statement, the university expressed its deep condolences to the victims’ families, friends, and the campus community.
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TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The Tucson Police Department has confirmed two pedestrians are dead following a hit-and-run crash near 2nd Street and Euclid Avenue Thursday night.
Police say at around 11 p.m., three individuals were hit in the crash, the third victim is currently suffering life-threatening injuries. TPD told KGUN 9 early Friday morning that the driver did not remain at the scene.
The U of A asked students to avoid 2nd St. and Euclid Ave. due to a road closure Thursday night through an emergency alert text. Another text was sent leading into early Friday morning saying the road will remain closed and they will no longer provide any messages on the situation.
KGUN 9 can confirm that road is now open.
We will continue to provide updates throughout the day online and on air.
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