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Prosecution Awaits DNA Results in UA Hit-and-Run Case
Three students were killed in the October crosswalk incident.
Apr. 17, 2026 at 6:18pm
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The prosecution's need for DNA evidence and a crash recreation underscores the complexity of building a case against the alleged hit-and-run driver.Tucson TodayThe prosecution in the case involving a 19-year-old man charged with three counts of manslaughter for a hit-and-run crash that killed three University of Arizona students last October says they need to wait for DNA results and a crash recreation before the case can move forward. The next hearing is scheduled for the end of June, with a trial set for November.
Why it matters
This tragic incident has deeply impacted the University of Arizona community and raised concerns about pedestrian safety in Tucson. The prosecution’s need for more evidence before proceeding highlights the complexity of such cases and the importance of a thorough investigation.
The details
Police say the crash happened at a marked crosswalk at North Euclid and East Second Street, killing 21-year-old Sophia Troetel, 22-year-old Josiah Santos, and 21-year-old Katya Castillo-Mendoza. The 19-year-old suspect, John Louis Artal, appeared before a Superior Court Judge on Friday but has not yet entered a plea. The prosecution says they require DNA results and a crash recreation before the case can advance.
- The hit-and-run incident occurred in October of last year.
- Artal appeared before a judge on Friday, April 17, 2026.
- The next hearing is scheduled for the end of June 2026.
- A trial is set for November 2026.
The players
John Louis Artal
A 19-year-old man charged with three counts of manslaughter for the hit-and-run crash.
Sophia Troetel
A 21-year-old University of Arizona student killed in the crash.
Josiah Santos
A 22-year-old University of Arizona student killed in the crash.
Katya Castillo-Mendoza
A 21-year-old University of Arizona student killed in the crash.
What’s next
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for the end of June 2026, with a trial set to begin in November 2026.
The takeaway
This tragic hit-and-run incident has deeply impacted the University of Arizona community and raised important questions about pedestrian safety in Tucson. The prosecution’s need for additional evidence before proceeding highlights the complexity of such cases and the importance of a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served.
