THREE college students died in a hit-and-run after being hit by a “speeding teenage driver” at an intersection.
Emergency services were called to reports of the horrific accident around 11pm on North Euclid Avenue in Arizona.
The three University of Arizona students were walking on a crosswalk near campus Thursday when they were reportedly hit by a speeding Porsche.
The driver did not stop and fled the area, authorities say.
Sophia Akimi Troetel, 21, and Josiah Patrick saints22 years old, were tragically pronounced dead at the scene.
A third pedestrian, later identified as Katya Rosaura Castillo Mendoza, 21, was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
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According to authorities, the woman was pronounced dead on Saturday.
The alleged driver, Louis John Artal, 19, was charged with three counts of second-degree murder and one count of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
It is understood he surrendered to Tucson police on Friday morning and was sent to the Pima County Adult Detention Center.
He was later granted $250,000 cash bail, according to jail records.
The University of Arizona confirmed the deaths in a statement, saying: “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.
“We express our deepest condolences to their families, friends, loved ones and all those mourning these young lives that have been tragically cut short.
“The university is providing support and resources to students, faculty and staff affected by this devastating loss.”
According to authorities, the suspect was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the accident.
Police said in a statement: “Mr Artal’s disability, his speeding and his failure to yield to pedestrians at a crosswalk are the main contributing factors to this collision.
“This investigation remains ongoing and any additional information may be released at a later date as it becomes available.”
Later, Josiah’s mother Maria paid an emotional tribute to her “beautiful” son and his girlfriend Sophia, who she said were “ready to start their future together.”
In a heartbreaking GoFundMe post he created after her death, he wrote: “They were young, full of life, love and promise, ready to start their future together.
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“Josiah sang, he danced, he acted – he lit up every room he entered and made everyone who met him laugh. Sophia combined his warmth with a beautiful soul and a smile that could light up the darkest day.
“The world feels darker without your light. Please keep our family and Sophia’s in your thoughts and prayers as we try to find our way through this heartbreak.”
