One year on, a victim's mother reflects on her son and the push for safer crosswalks, while the driver faces a manslaughter charge.
TUCSON, AZ - November 2, 2026
Three University of Arizona students were killed late on Oct. 30 while crossing Euclid Avenue at Second Street near campus, according to reports. The driver, Louis Artal, left the scene but turned himself in to police a few hours later, and he has been charged with manslaughter.
Key Facts
- Date: Late on Oct. 30 (reported November 2, 2026)
- Location: Euclid Avenue at Second Street, Tucson, Arizona
- Type of crash: Hit-and-run
- Injuries / fatalities: Three deaths reported; no other injuries were specified
- Reported by: KOLD; 13 News
Crash Overview
Late on Oct. 30, Katya Castillo-Mendoza, 21, Sophia Troetel, 21, and Josiah Santos, 22, died after being struck while crossing Euclid Avenue at Second Street. Police said the driver, Louis Artal, drove away from the scene and surrendered a few hours later. He has been charged with manslaughter. Few other details about the crash have been reported.
One year later, Hope Santos, Josiah's mother, has spoken about her son, who was described as a musician, writer and actor. She said many people have shared photos, videos and social media posts of him that she had not seen before. She also said she has built a closer bond with Castillo-Mendoza's family, whom she sees monthly, and that she recently spent a week with Troetel's family in New York. Many people gathered in the area on Friday to bring flowers and remember the students.
The crash renewed discussion about visible and safe crosswalks near the University of Arizona. Over the past year, the city turned on a "toucan" crossing signal at that intersection, which stops cars so pedestrians and cyclists can cross, and added more HAWK crosswalk signals citywide. A Tucson Department of Transportation official, Lindsey Salcido, said a dedicated powered signal keeps drivers alert and that safety remains a top priority. Hope Santos also called for changes to driver education, saying drivers need to consider people walking along and within crosswalks.