Three Young Friends Lose Their Lives After Being Struck in Tucson Crosswalk
What began as an ordinary night near the University of Arizona turned into a tragedy that has shaken both the Tucson community and families hundreds of miles away. Late on the evening of October 30, 2025, near the intersection of North Euclid Avenue and East Second Street, three pedestrians—21-year-old Sophia Akimi Troetel, 22-year-old Josiah Patrick Santos, and 20-year-old Katya Castillo-Mendoza—were struck by a speeding vehicle while walking through a marked crosswalk.
Authorities say the impact occurred just after 11:30 p.m., in a well-lit area near student housing where traffic typically slows to accommodate late-night pedestrians. According to preliminary reports from the Tucson Police Department, the vehicle involved was moving well above the posted speed limit and failed to yield. The driver did not immediately stop, prompting investigators to treat the case as a possible hit-and-run incident.
The Victims
Each of the three young adults had deep ties to the Tucson area and bright futures ahead.
Sophia Akimi Troetel, 21, was a junior at the University of Arizona, majoring in Environmental Science. Known for her artistic eye and quiet determination, Sophia was deeply involved in sustainability initiatives and volunteered regularly at community garden projects. Friends describe her as “the calm in any storm”—someone who listened more than she spoke but whose words carried weight. She had dreams of working in renewable energy policy and traveling to Japan, her mother’s birthplace, after graduation.
Josiah Patrick Santos, 22, a recent graduate of Pima Community College, was the heart of his friend group—a self-taught musician, mechanic, and dreamer. He worked part-time at a local café and was saving to open his own small auto repair shop. “Josiah was always fixing things—cars, bikes, people’s bad days,” his sister shared tearfully. “He just wanted to build a better life for everyone around him.”
Katya Castillo-Mendoza, 20, was studying Education and hoped to teach elementary school students in underserved communities. Known for her radiant energy, Katya spent her weekends tutoring children in math and English through a volunteer literacy program. “She loved kids,” said her best friend, Maribel. “Her phone wallpaper was a drawing one of her students made for her.” Katya was also a first-generation college student—the pride of her family.
The Incident
Police reports suggest that the three friends were walking home after grabbing dinner near University Boulevard. As they entered the crosswalk, the approaching car appeared suddenly, its headlights bright but speed unchecked. Witnesses nearby reported hearing a loud impact followed by the screech of tires. Several bystanders immediately called 911 and rushed to help before first responders arrived.
Emergency crews transported all three victims to Banner-University Medical Center, where doctors worked tirelessly to stabilize them. Despite all efforts, the young friends succumbed to their injuries within hours of the crash.
The driver, whose name has not yet been released pending investigation, was later located after authorities reviewed security camera footage from nearby businesses. The vehicle, a dark-colored sedan with front-end damage, was found abandoned several blocks away. Police continue to investigate whether impairment, distraction, or reckless driving played a role.
A Community in Mourning
The loss has deeply affected the University of Arizona campus and surrounding Tucson neighborhoods. On Sunday evening, hundreds gathered for a candlelight vigil at the site of the crash. Classmates, professors, and family members shared stories, laughter through tears, and vows to remember the kindness and ambition each of the three friends embodied.
Mayor Regina Romero issued a statement calling the incident “a devastating reminder of the human cost of reckless driving” and pledged to strengthen pedestrian safety measures in student-heavy zones.
A joint memorial fund has since been established to support the families of Sophia, Josiah, and Katya with funeral expenses and scholarship funds in their names.
Three young lives, bound by friendship and promise, now live on through the memories of those who loved them. Their absence has left an unfillable void, but their light continues to guide a community that refuses to forget.
Tags: #Tucson #UniversityOfArizona #PedestrianSafety #SophiaTroetel #JosiahSantos #KatyaCastilloMendoza #CommunityStrong
