UA Student Charged in Triple Fatal Hit-and-Run

Trial date set for Louis John Artal, accused of killing 3 students in October crash

Feb. 20, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A University of Arizona student named Louis John Artal has been charged with three counts of manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of a deadly injury accident after allegedly striking and killing three fellow UA students in a hit-and-run incident near campus last October. Artal is set to stand trial for the charges.

Why it matters

The tragic incident has shaken the UA community and raised concerns about pedestrian safety around the university, leading to the installation of a new high-intensity crosswalk at the intersection where the crash occurred. The case also highlights the issue of hit-and-run accidents and the need for stricter enforcement and penalties to hold drivers accountable.

The details

According to authorities, the three victims - Josiah Patrick Santos, Sophia Akimi Troetel and Katya Rosaura Castillo-Mendoza - were crossing a marked crosswalk at the intersection of Euclid Avenue and 2nd Street when Artal, also a UA student, struck them with his Porsche and then fled the scene. The new high-intensity crosswalk is expected to be completed by early May.

  • The incident occurred in October 2025.
  • Artal appeared in court on February 20, 2026.
  • The new high-intensity crosswalk is expected to be completed by early May 2026.

The players

Louis John Artal

A University of Arizona student charged with three counts of manslaughter and one count of leaving the scene of a deadly injury accident for allegedly striking and killing three fellow students in a hit-and-run incident near campus.

Josiah Patrick Santos

One of the three UA students killed in the hit-and-run incident.

Sophia Akimi Troetel

One of the three UA students killed in the hit-and-run incident.

Katya Rosaura Castillo-Mendoza

One of the three UA students killed in the hit-and-run incident.

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What’s next

Artal's trial date has been set, and the new high-intensity crosswalk at the intersection is expected to be completed by early May 2026.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stricter enforcement and penalties for hit-and-run drivers, as well as the importance of improving pedestrian safety measures around university campuses to prevent such tragic incidents from occurring.