Arraignment Underway for 19-Year-Old Suspect in Deadly Hit-and-Run That Killed Three University of Arizona Students

TUCSON, AZ. — Arraignment Underway for 19-Year-Old Suspect in Deadly Hit-and-Run That Killed Three University of Arizona Students

Authorities in Tucson have taken a major step forward in the wake of a tragic late-October incident involving three young lives lost. On Monday, 19-year-old Louis John Artal, a student at the University of Arizona, was formally arraigned and now faces three counts of manslaughter in connection with a crash that claimed the lives of fellow students.

The Incident and Charges

According to Tucson Police Department investigators, the fatal crash occurred on October 30 at approximately 11 p.m., as the victims were walking across a marked crosswalk near campus. Officials say Artal was driving a 2019 Porsche Boxster, was allegedly speeding and impaired, and struck three pedestrians—21-year-old Sophia Akimi Troetel, 22-year-old Josiah Patrick Santos and 21-year-old Katya Rosaura Castillo Mendoza—before leaving the scene. Troetel and Santos died at the scene; Castillo Mendoza died the next day.

In the arraignment Monday, Artal entered a not-guilty plea to the charges, which carry significant legal weight. Earlier filings had charged him with second-degree murder, leaving the scene of a fatal accident and other counts related to impaired driving. Bond was set at $250,000 cash.

Remembering the Victims

Each of the three students struck in the incident had been building bright futures at the university. The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the University of Arizona community, which is now grappling with grief and irreparable loss.

Members of the victims’ families have spoken about how each young person lived with energy, kindness, and promise—qualities now set in memory due to a single moment of reckless driving.

Community Response & Next Steps

In the wake of the crash and the arraignment, Tucson community leaders, campus officials, and families are calling for increased pedestrian safety measures, greater enforcement of impaired and reckless driving laws, and renewed attention to the human cost of such incidents.

Investigators continue to examine vehicle data, surveillance footage, eyewitness testimony, and impaired-driving indicators as they build their case. The next court hearing is scheduled for December 18.

A Call for Healing and Accountability

This case stands as a tragic reminder of how quickly lives can be changed in the blink of an eye, particularly when traffic safety, impairment, and pedestrian vulnerability intersect. The University of Arizona community, the families of the victims, and local residents are now sharing grief, calling for justice, and seeking ways to ensure that actions like this do not happen again.

For Artal, the legal journey has only just begun. For the families, the journey of healing, remembrance, and accountability stretches long ahead.

Closing Reflection

To the families of Sophia, Josiah, and Katya: your loss is profound. The University of Arizona community stands with you in grief, mourning, and unwavering support.

To Louis John Artal: the charges you face reflect the weight of the lives lost and the futures taken.
To Tucson and beyond: may this tragedy serve as a catalyst not only for change, but for deeper respect for life, safety, and human connection.

The three lives lost that night will not be forgotten. Their stories will live on, serving as reminders of fragility, promise, and the urgent need for compassion.