A Pima County judge has circled early November for the trial in a hit-and-run that killed three University of Arizona students last October, a pace the defense says may be tough to keep. The students were in a marked crosswalk near campus, at North Euclid Avenue and East Second Street, when they were hit. The crash, and the slow grind of the court calendar that followed, has kept students and city officials locked in on pedestrian safety around the university.
Louis John Artal, 19, is charged with three counts of manslaughter and was arraigned in mid November, according to Arizona's Family. He later posted a $250,000 cash bond and was released from custody, the Arizona Daily Star reported. The victims, Sophia Troetel, Josiah Santos and Katya Castillo-Mendoza, were all University of Arizona students, according to the arraignment coverage.
Judge Danielle Constant set the early November trial date and an October motions hearing, as reported by KGUN9. Defense attorney Joe St. Louis pushed back on the schedule in court, saying his team is still working through witness interviews and other prep. "I’m not convinced that is a realistic trial date," he told the judge. The court has indicated it will consider any plea offer that might surface, although none has been made in open court so far.
Safety Upgrades Already Planned At The Crosswalk
Even before the deadly crash, city transportation officials had flagged Euclid and Second for pedestrian safety upgrades, and those plans are now moving faster. The city had already slated a signalized crossing, a HAWK beacon, for the intersection, and that work has been pushed up following the fatalities. AZPM reported that the spot is part of a larger Proposition 411 package that also covers refreshed striping, lighting checks and a separate bicycle connection. Students and nearby residents have pressed City Hall to hurry things along, and a memorial at the site has become a lasting gathering point for the campus community.
Evidence, Reconstruction And The Next Steps
Prosecutors told the court they are still waiting on DNA testing results and a complete crash reconstruction, technical pieces both sides say they need in hand before trial, according to KGUN9. The manslaughter counts carry potential prison terms that could range from roughly seven to 21 years if there is a conviction on the current charges, a possibility that has already been outlined in court. For now, lawyers on both sides are juggling witness interviews, forensic work and a tight calendar as the case heads toward October motions and the target November trial date.
