A 19-year-old man has been charged with murder after a tragic hit-and-run incident resulted in the deaths of two college students in Arizona. The suspect, identified as Louis John Artal, allegedly struck the pedestrians with his 2019 Porsche Boxster and fled the scene, leaving two University of Arizona students, 21-year-old Sophia Akimi Troetel and 22-year-old Josiah Patrick Santos, dead. The Tucson Police Department reported that the incident took place on North Euclid Avenue and East Second Street late at night on October 30.
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Upon responding to reports of the pedestrians being hit, officers found Troetel and Santos deceased at the scene while a third individual was rushed to the hospital in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. The driver responsible for the fatal collision, Artal, turned himself in to authorities shortly after the incident and was subsequently arrested. Police investigations revealed that Artal was allegedly impaired by alcohol and/or drugs at the time of the collision and was driving above the posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour.
Artal has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder, aggravated assault with serious physical injury, and leaving the scene of an accident involving death. The Tucson Police Department stated that Artal’s impairment, speeding, and failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk were the primary factors contributing to the tragic collision. The case has drawn significant attention and national interest due to the devastating consequences of the hit-and-run incident.
Following his arrest, Artal made his first court appearance where it was revealed that he is a student at the University of Arizona, originally hailing from California. The legal proceedings regarding the case are ongoing, and authorities have indicated that further information may be released as the investigation progresses. The community has been left in shock and mourning over the loss of two young lives and the critical injuries sustained by another individual in the reckless act of the accused driver.
The devastating incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired and reckless driving, highlighting the need for heightened awareness and responsibility on the road. The families and friends of the victims are grappling with the sudden and tragic loss, while the broader community has come together to support and remember the lives of Troetel and Santos. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to ensure that justice is served for the victims and their loved ones affected by this senseless tragedy.