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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)

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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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Young America’s Foundation table gets trashed at OSU by person who tells conservatives to ‘f— off’

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Young America’s Foundation table gets trashed at OSU by person who tells conservatives to ‘f— off’

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Students at Oklahoma State University who are part of the school’s Young America’s Foundation (YAF) chapter set up a table on campus to facilitate discussion and share their views with their fellow peers.

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It wasn’t long before another student who proclaimed their name was “No” made their way over to the table to scoop up all the students’ flyers and other handouts and throw them away across the lawn nearby.

YAF member Caleb Buxton can be heard in the background saying, “This is our property, and you are once again stealing it and littering,” mentioning multiple times across various clips that the individual came up to their table three separate times to harass them. 

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Students at Oklahoma State University who are part of the school’s Young America’s Foundation (YAF) chapter set up a table on campus to facilitate discussion and share their views with their fellow peers before getting repeatedly harassed by a passerby.

“Freedom of speech means you have the right to say whatever you want, and I have the right to tell you to f— off,” the person responded, proceeding to label the other students “fascists” multiple times. 

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“You have the right to freedom of speech, but not to censor others’ [freedom of] speech,” another YAF member, Joshua Wilson responded.

“The government doesn’t have the right to tell you to shut up — I do,” the antagonist replied. “You don’t have to listen. I can’t force you to shut up, but I can tell you to f— off.”

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Oklahoma State Library on the campus of Oklahoma State University on Oct. 1, 2005, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Wilson went on to inform “No” about the heckler’s veto, defined as the “First Amendment right to free speech, the government is not allowed to shut down the speech just because other people don’t like the message that is being conveyed.”

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“Jesus loves you anyway, and I hope you come to your senses,” the chapter member added. “You’ll realize we can have [a] conversation without you throwing our stuff away.”

The angry individual replied that the YAF members didn’t “deserve a conversation.”

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Wilson told Fox News Digital, “It is such a shame that people would rather resort to violence or destruction than have a conversation. I hope the university takes swift action, to ensure that students — regardless of political standing — can feel safe to practice their First Amendment rights.”

Andrew Williamson, a witness of the incident and member of the OSU YAF chapter who called law enforcement and filed an initial police report, told Fox News Digital, “This individual repeatedly harassed us, stole from us, and deliberately damaged our materials, ignoring multiple requests to stop.” 

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The statement continued that when things escalated, “We contacted OSU Police, who arrived shortly.” 

“A police report has been filed, and we look forward to swift progress in the investigation. We expect this individual to face the full consequences of the law, as well as university discipline, up to and including expulsion,” Williamson added. “Nearly every time a conservative group engages in free speech on campus, the LGBTQ mafia resorts to screeching and violence.”

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OSU commented on the post, writing, “Oklahoma State University supports free speech. The OSU Police Department is actively investigating this incident.” 

In a comment made to Fox Digital, OSU wrote, “Oklahoma State University supports the rights of student groups to express their opinions and speak freely. The OSU Police Department has investigated the incident, and charges are pending.”

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Fox News’ Elizabeth Heckman contributed to this report. 

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Arizona judge resigns after being caught allegedly urinating on street near courthouse: ‘This is disgusting’

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Arizona judge resigns after being caught allegedly urinating on street near courthouse: ‘This is disgusting’

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An Arizona Superior Court judge has resigned after allegedly being caught urinating in public just steps from the courthouse where she served.

Prescott police responded around 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 4 after witnesses reported a woman relieving herself near Montezuma and Gurley Street, on the same block as the Courthouse Plaza where she worked, FOX 10 first reported.

Bodycam video obtained by Fox News Digital appears to show Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore Kristyne Schaaf-Olson pulling up her pants before quickly sitting on a bench.

“This is disgusting,” the responding officer says as he approaches Schaaf-Olson.

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An Arizona Superior Court judge has resigned after allegedly being caught urinating in public just steps from the courthouse where she served. (Prescott Police Department)

The video shows Schaaf-Olson struggling to spell her own name as the officer attempts to identify her.

Moments later, Schaaf-Olson’s husband, Jason Olson, who serves as the parks and recreation manager for the Town of Chino Valley, according to FOX 10, approaches the scene and tries to pull his wife away from the officers – repeatedly refusing orders to step back.

When asked why she was being questioned, the officer replied, “Because I just saw her puking and urinating, exposing herself to several people.”

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“Nope. That wasn’t her,” Jason Olson insists.

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Schaaf-Olson’s husband, Jason Olson, approaches the scene and tries to pull his wife away from the officers. (Prescott Police Department)

As Jason Olson continues to resist police commands, the officer throws him to the ground.

“Get your a– on the f—ing ground, dude,” the officer says.

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“I’m not doing anything!” Jason Olson says.

“515, we’re fighting,” the officer can be heard saying as several other officers work to restrain and handcuff Jason Olson.

Schaaf-Olson was cited for urinating or defecating in public – a misdemeanor offense.

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Schaaf-Olson was cited for urinating or defecating in public – a misdemeanor offense. (Prescott Police Department)

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The video shows her identifying herself as a judge, saying, “That’s fine. I want to let you know, my name is Judge Kristyne Olson.”

Schaaf-Olson is also seen struggling to sign the citation.

“Nope, right here on the screen. On the screen,” an officer says.

Jason Olson was cited for resisting arrest, interfering with a crime scene investigation and obstruction of government operations, according to FOX 10.

Days later, Yavapai County Superior Court confirmed Schaaf-Olson had submitted her resignation, effective Oct. 31.

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Yavapai County Superior Court confirmed Schaaf-Olson had submitted her resignation, effective Oct. 31. (Yavapai County Courts)

“My resignation comes after careful consideration of current physical, medical and family circumstances,” Schaaf-Olson said in an Oct. 6 statement. 

She added, “The Yavapai community deserves and has judges who are steadfast in their commitment to serving Yavapai County, considering current events in my life, I believe it would be difficult to honor this commitment. I have therefore decided to resign.”

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Schaaf-Olson’s pre-trial conference is scheduled for Dec. 16, while Olson’s is on Nov. 18, according to FOX 10.

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The Prescott Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

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New Mexico man allegedly kills mother, stores dismembered remains in home freezer for weeks: Report

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New Mexico man allegedly kills mother, stores dismembered remains in home freezer for weeks: Report

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An Albuquerque, N.M., man has been arrested on charges of allegedly killing and dismembering his mother before placing her remains in a freezer, according to reports.

Court records show 49-year-old Leroy Vallejos was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center on Wednesday. He is charged with first-degree murder, battery, battery of a household member and tampering with evidence, and is being held under preventative detention.

The Albuquerque Police Department alleged that Vallejos admitted to an officer that he choked his 69-year-old mother, Ernestina Lucero, to death nearly three weeks ago, KRQE in Albuquerque reported.

Police said Vallejos claimed his mother was part of a “group of people giving their lives to darkness” who were conspiring against him.

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Leroy Vallejos, 49, was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center on Oct. 29, 2025, after being charged with killing and dismembering his 69-year-old mother, according to court records. (Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center)

Police reportedly conducted a welfare check at Lucero’s home last Tuesday after Vallejos told a healthcare company his mother had been missing for about a week. He allegedly called the company to request payment for her care despite not having seen her.

During the welfare check, Vallejos let officers inside and told them his mother had gone to Mexico. But as they looked around, officers reportedly found Lucero’s prescriptions still in her bedroom.

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A general overall aerial view of the downtown Albuquerque skyline on Feb. 16, 2024 in Albuquerque, N.M. (Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

One officer allegedly found garbage bags inside a large freezer that were later determined to contain the remains of a female, the station reported.

The discovery led to another search of the home, where officers found a saw with what appeared to be dried blood stains under a sink.

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Leroy Vallejos, 49, was booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center on Oct. 29, 2025, after being charged with killing and dismembering his 69-year-old mother, according to court records.  (iStock)

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Before the welfare check, another family member reportedly told police Lucero was missing, prompting the department to issue a missing person bulletin on Oct. 23 and launch an investigation.

A preliminary investigation found that Vallejos allegedly withdrew money from his mother’s account, and her vehicle was reportedly sold before she was reported missing.

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The Albuquerque Police Department did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for additional information on the matter.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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