Families sue Tucson alleging ignored warnings before UA student deaths

Families of University of Arizona students Sophia Troetel, Josiah Santos and Katya Castillo-Mendoza, killed while crossing Euclid Avenue and Second Street in a 2025 hit-and-run, have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the City of Tucson and the alleged driver, Louis Artal. The suit alleges the city had repeated warnings about hazards at the intersection, including poor lighting, and failed to install planned traffic signals or temporary protections before the crash. Artal, who was 19 at the time, faces criminal charges including manslaughter and leaving the scene. By the crash’s first anniversary, the city had installed pedestrian signals at the intersection, while the victims’ loved ones continued to mourn and call for safer roads and sober driving.