Understand Your Rights. Solve Your Legal Problems
On a late October evening in Tucson, a red Porsche Boxster, once a symbol of freedom and privilege, became an instrument of devastation.
Around 11 p.m., at the intersection of North Euclid Avenue and East Second Street, three University of Arizona students were struck while crossing a marked crosswalk.
Police say the driver, later identified as 19-year-old Louis John Artal, was speeding and fled the scene before turning himself in hours later.
Artal now faces three counts of second-degree murder and one count of leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
The victims — Sophia Akimi Troetel, 21; Josiah Patrick Santos, 22; and Katya Rosaura Castillo Mendoza, 21 were bright young lives with futures ahead of them, cut short in seconds.
The sky had darkened; the streets near the University of Arizona campus were lit by streetlamps and echoes of student lives winding down.
In that moment, Troetel, Santos and Mendoza were walking in their community, trusting that the crosswalk would protect them. Instead, they encountered lethal speed.
According to the Tucson Police Department, the Porsche “did not stop, struck the pedestrians, and fled the scene.”
The posted speed limit on the stretch was 30 mph; witness and forensic evidence suggest the car was travelling well above that.
Investigators believe the driver was impaired by alcohol or drugs.
His lawyer later said that Artal went home and called his father for help, then turned himself in. That act has become part of a legal strategy, but it cannot erase the lives lost.
Troetel and Santos were pronounced dead at the scene; Mendoza succumbed to her injuries two days later.
Friends and family describe them as bright, vibrant, on the cusp of adult promise. The GoFundMe tribute called Santos “ready to begin his future together” with Sophia, full of laughter, light and hope.
University of Arizona students Josiah Patrick Santos, 22, and Sophia Akimi Troetel, 21, were killed instantly when a speeding Porsche struck them in a crosswalk near campus late Thursday night.
Their deaths rippled far beyond that intersection: grieving classmates, a campus community in shock, families without tomorrow’s dreams. Amid the tragedy, the community asks: could this have been prevented?
This case is especially jarring because of the elements at play: a high-performance sports car, a young driver, alleged impairment, and a failure to stop.
Speed: The Porsche was seen “above the posted 30 mph speed limit” before impact.
Impairment: The driver was evaluated for possible drug or alcohol use at the scene.
Hit and run: The driver left the scene before authorities arrived.
Privilege: The lawyer referenced Artal’s father owning a large business and hiring private counsel arguing he wouldn’t flee.
When such factors combine, risk escalates exponentially. And while many might assume “that won’t happen to me,” the truth is: one momentary lapse can shatter lives.
A student trusting a crosswalk. A family expecting a daughter’s call. A driver believing they’re impervious.
The University of Arizona community responded with grief and action. A statement from the university extended “heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and all grieving those who lost their lives.”
Student leaders voiced shock, and plans were announced to honour the lost.
But grief alone won’t stop the next tragedy.
The raceway culture around campus, the late-night distractions, access to high-performance vehicles, and possible substance misuse among young drivers are all part of the broader risk picture.
This event forces a larger conversation about university students, privilege, and the blind spots in our road-safety assumptions.
Am I liable or could someone else be held legally liable when a reckless driver causes a fatal crash and then flees the scene?
In Arizona, the statute Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-661 (ARS 28-661) makes it a crime for a driver who is involved in an accident causing death or serious physical injury to leave the scene without meeting required duties.
Those duties include stopping immediately “at or as close as possible” to the crash, remaining there until basic information is exchanged and help is rendered.
If a driver fails, the crime can be a Class 3 felony (if someone was hurt or killed) or Class 2 if the driver is found to have caused the accident.
In practical terms: it doesn’t matter whether the crash was an accident or reckless act once someone leaves the scene of a deadly or grievously harmful crash, the state treats it as one of the most serious hit-and-run crimes.
The crash in question involved pedestrians in a marked crosswalk – arguably the most protected group of road users.
The driver allegedly was speeding and under the influence. When you combine DUI, excessive speed, and then fleeing, the legal stakes multiply. Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1104, vehicular second-degree murder can be pursued when a death results from reckless driving or felony behavior.
For the public: a moment’s decision to keep driving instead of stopping can shift the legal burden from a traffic violation to a multi-year felony, a criminal record, loss of driving privileges for a decade, and lifelong consequences. For the family of the victims, it means a serious demand for justice; for the driver, it means their life could change forever.
Criminal-defense veteran David Michael Cantor explains:
“When a vehicle is used in a reckless way and someone flees, that driver isn’t just facing a drunk-driving case — they are at risk for the most serious felony homicide charges in Arizona. And once you’re in that space, options narrow quickly.”
That resonates emotionally because beneath the legal text lies a human story: families devastated, futures lost, and justice demanded. The law isn’t just a statute—it is society drawing a line that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated.
If you’re involved in a crash that injures or kills someone: Stop immediately. Stay at or return to the scene. Exchange your name, address, registration number. Render reasonable assistance (call 911, request an ambulance if needed). That’s your legal duty under ARS 28-663.
If you flee because you panicked: Understand that flight is strong evidence of guilt and adds its own separate crime. The earlier you get legal advice the better.
If you are a victim or a loved one of a victim: You have the right to demand the highest level of accountability. The presence of drug/alcohol impairment, high speed, leaving the scene — all escalate the charge and the potential sentence.
If you witness or record the crash: Your evidence can shape the case. Photos of speed gauges, video of the vehicle before impact, and witness statements matter.
If you hold any stake – as a parent of a teen driver, or someone whose teenager drives a high-performance car: speak openly about the exact duty to stop and safe driving expectations. It’s not theoretical — it’s life-or-death.
Many people assume a “hit-and-run” means only property damage — not death. In Arizona, when injury or death follows a crash, leaving the scene becomes a felony that stays on your record forever, impacts your job prospects, insurance, immigration status — everything.
Even if you didn’t intend harm, the combination of reckless driving and flight can shift your legal status into murder-level territory.
For everyday drivers: this is a sobering reminder that your actions behind the wheel can pivot in seconds from minor risk to catastrophic legal ruin, and for victims and families the law offers a path to justice, not just compensation.
This tragedy is not just about one driver or one night in Tucson. It exposes a deeper issue — the culture of speed, privilege, and risk that too often collides with inexperience behind the wheel.
It challenges the belief that the rules of the road are flexible, and reminds us that pedestrians place their trust in drivers every single time they cross the street.
Every driver, parent, and student should pause to reflect. A single moment of distraction, a reckless burst of acceleration, or the decision to flee instead of stop — these choices aren’t statistics. They’re the difference between life and loss.
Sophia Akimi Troetel, Josiah Patrick Santos, and Katya Rosaura Castillo Mendoza were simply walking home. Their lives ended in an instant, leaving behind families and friends facing an unbearable void.
The legal consequences for such actions are severe in Arizona and across the country, hitting a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk while speeding or impaired, then fleeing the scene, is treated as a felony.
The penalties can last a lifetime, but the emotional cost is immeasurable.
Slow down. Don’t drive impaired. Stop when someone needs help.
Because one reckless decision can destroy multiple lives in seconds and no law, no punishment, can bring back the futures that were lost that night.
1. What charges is Louis John Artal facing in the University of Arizona crash?
According to Tucson police and court filings, 19-year-old Louis John Artal has been charged with three counts of second-degree murder and one count of leaving the scene of a fatal accident. These are serious felony charges under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 13-1104 and § 28-661) and could carry decades in prison if convicted.
2. What does “second-degree murder” mean in Arizona?
In Arizona, second-degree murder applies when a person causes someone’s death through reckless disregard for human life, even without premeditation. Prosecutors can use this charge in vehicular homicide cases when speed, impairment, or extreme recklessness are proven. It’s one of the highest felony classifications in the state.
3. Why was this crash treated as murder instead of manslaughter?
Police and prosecutors reportedly believe Artal’s speed, potential impairment, and decision to flee show “extreme indifference to human life.” When those elements are present, the state can elevate the charge from manslaughter to second-degree murder. It’s not about intent to kill, but about conscious recklessness that results in death.
4. What happens if a driver flees the scene of a fatal crash in Arizona?
Leaving the scene of a crash that causes death or serious injury is a felony hit-and-run under A.R.S. § 28-661. Even if the driver didn’t cause the accident, failing to stop, provide information, and render aid can lead to mandatory prison time, license revocation, and permanent criminal record.
5. Can the victims’ families file a civil lawsuit?
Yes. Beyond the criminal case, the victims’ families may pursue a wrongful-death lawsuit seeking financial compensation for their losses. This civil claim can include funeral expenses, emotional suffering, and loss of companionship. These cases often run parallel to criminal proceedings but are tried separately in civil court.
6. Could the driver’s parents be held legally responsible?
In some circumstances, parents can face civil liability if they owned the vehicle, enabled reckless behavior, or negligently entrusted a high-performance car to an inexperienced driver. While criminal charges usually apply only to the driver, victims’ families can sue vehicle owners for negligent entrustment or vicarious liability.
7. How do Arizona laws protect pedestrians?
Arizona law gives pedestrians the right of way in marked crosswalks (A.R.S. § 28-792). Drivers must yield and slow down as they approach. Failure to do so, especially when combined with speeding or intoxication, can result in both criminal charges and significant civil penalties.
8. What can families or witnesses do after a hit-and-run crash?
Families should contact law enforcement immediately and may consult a victims’ rights attorney to understand restitution options. Witnesses should provide statements, photos, or videos to police — even small details can strengthen a prosecution or civil claim.
9. What’s the difference between DUI and vehicular homicide?
A DUI (Driving Under the Influence) becomes vehicular homicide when impairment leads to death. Prosecutors may charge both crimes together when alcohol or drugs are involved. Arizona enforces some of the strictest DUI laws in the U.S., including mandatory jail time and license suspension for first-time offenders.
10. What lessons does this case hold for other drivers?
This tragedy is a reminder that one reckless choice can destroy multiple lives. Speeding, driving impaired, or fleeing an accident scene can instantly shift your status from driver to felon. Every second on the road carries responsibility — to yourself, your passengers, and everyone around you.
