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Teen allegedly kills three University of Arizona students in Porsche hit-and-run crash

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Teen allegedly kills three University of Arizona students in Porsche hit-and-run crash

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Three University of Arizona students are dead after police said a speeding, impaired 19-year-old driver behind the wheel of a Porsche allegedly hit them in a marked crosswalk near campus and drove off into the night Thursday.

The alleged driver of the Porsche, Louis John Artal, 19, is charged with three counts of second-degree murder, and one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death, according to the Tucson Police Department (TPD).

At about 11 p.m. Thursday, TPD officers, the University of Arizona Police Department (UAPD) and Tucson firefighters responded to North Euclid Avenue and East Second Street for reports of multiple pedestrians hit by a car.

When officers and firefighters arrived, they pronounced Sophia Akimi Troetel, 21, and Josiah Patrick Santos, 22, dead at the scene.

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The alleged driver of the Porsche, Louis John Artal, 19, is charged with three counts of second-degree murder, and one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death. (Pima County Sheriff’s Department)

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A third pedestrian, later identified as Katya Rosaura Castillo Mendoza, 21, was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries in critical condition. 

She was pronounced dead at the hospital Saturday, according to officials.

The University of Arizona confirmed to Fox News Digital all three victims were University of Arizona students.

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The University of Arizona community is deeply saddened by the collision that claimed the lives of three of our students—Sophia Troetel, Josiah Santos and Katya Castillo-Mendoza,” school officials wrote in a statement. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, friends, loved ones, and all who are grieving these young lives cut tragically short. The university is providing support and resources to students, faculty, and staff affected by this devastating loss.”

A GoFundMe campaign was set up for two of the victims, Josiah Patrick Santos and Sophia Akimi Troetel, by family members.

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Witness interviews, along with roadway and physical evidence, indicated a 2019 Porsche Boxter was traveling north on Euclid Avenue approaching East Second Street above the posted 30 mph speed limit, according to police.

At that time, Troetel, Santos and Mendoza were walking east across North Euclid Avenue inside a marked crosswalk at East Second Street.

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The Porsche did not stop, struck the pedestrians and fled the scene, officials allege. Artal turned himself into Tucson police Friday morning.

A TPD officer with the agency’s Impaired Driving Enforcement Unit evaluated Artal and found he was impaired by alcohol and or drugs at the time of the crash, according to authorities.

“Mr. Artal’s impairment, speeding, and failure to yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk are the major contributing factors of this collision,” the department wrote in a statement. “This investigation remains ongoing, and any additional information may be released at a later date as it becomes available.”

Three University of Arizona students were killed during the wreck. (Epics/Getty Images)

FAMILIES CLAIM TEEN MURDER SUSPECT WAS ‘PLOTTING’ DEADLY HIT-AND-RUN FOR MONTHS BEFORE KILLING TWO GIRLS

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Artal was booked into the Pima County Adult Detention Center and later granted a $250,000 cash bond, according to jail records.

Santos’ sister, Mathia, set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the family, with his mother, Hope, noting he and Troetel were in a relationship.

“Last night, my beautiful son Josiah and his girlfriend Sophia were taken from us far too soon,” Hope wrote in a statement on the site. “They were young, full of life, love, and promise—ready to begin their future together. Josiah sang, he danced, he acted — he lit up every room he entered and brought laughter to everyone who knew him. Sophia matched his warmth with a beautiful soul and a smile that could brighten the darkest day.”

“The world feels dimmer without their light,” she continued. “Please keep our family, and Sophia’s, in your thoughts and prayers as we try to find our way through this heartbreak.”

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As of Saturday night, the campaign had raised nearly $24,000.

There have been 26 pedestrian deaths in Tucson this year, surpassing the 25 total pedestrian deaths in the city in 2024.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

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Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.

The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024. 

Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.

  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, was arrested and extradited to the U.S. from Mexico on June 2, 2026, in connection with a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles. (California Highway Patrol)

Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan. 

The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.

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In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.

The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.

The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.

Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved. 

Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.

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Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest. 

“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”

On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge. 

“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”

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Los Angeles, Ca

NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire

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NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire

The northbound 405 Freeway will remain closed for several hours near Los Angeles International Airport after a police pursuit ended with officers opening fire Friday morning. Unconfirmed reports indicated the incident began with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store, which ended with Los Angeles Police Department officers pursuing the suspect in a Kia. The chase […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

'Top Gun: Maverick' actor identified as victim stabbed to death in Tarzana

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'Top Gun: Maverick' actor identified as victim stabbed to death in Tarzana

The victim in a bizarre and deadly stabbing in Tarzana has been identified as 81-year-old character actor James Handy, best known for a recent role in Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick.” The stabbing happened around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 19200 block of Erwin Street in the West Valley area. Officers responded after receiving a […]

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