An Arizona man who caused a devastating wrong-way crash on Interstate 17, killing three college freshmen, has been sentenced to prison. The tragic incident happened on October 10, 2022, just before 4 a.m., when 27-year-old Vincent Acosta drove his car south in the northbound lane of the highway, colliding with several vehicles.
Among the victims were three close friends and students at Grand Canyon University: 18-year-olds Abriauna Hoffman and Magdalyn “Maggie” Ogden, and 19-year-old Hunter Balberdi. They were freshmen who shared a suite on campus and had been heading to the Grand Canyon to watch the sunrise. The crash took place near Phoenix, and sadly, the trip ended in heartbreak. Ogden had just celebrated her birthday before the accident.
When first responders arrived, Acosta was found unconscious while crews worked to assist victims spread across four vehicles. Tragically, Hoffman and Ogden were pronounced dead at the scene, and Balberdi passed away later at the hospital. Acosta’s blood alcohol level was revealed to be 0.129—well over Arizona’s legal limit of 0.08. Although three other people involved in the crash were injured, their injuries were not life-threatening.
In August 2024, Acosta pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder. On January 17, 2025, he was sentenced to 22 years in prison for each of the three lives lost, but the sentences will run concurrently, meaning he will serve them all at the same time. Acosta also received credit for the 813 days he had already spent in jail.
Originally, the sentencing was scheduled for September 2024. However, the judge handling the case at the time, Judge Pamela Dunne, stepped down after expressing disagreement with the plea deal’s terms—particularly the concurrent sentencing. The case was reassigned to Judge Sam Myers, who oversaw the sentencing.
During the hearing, Judge Myers addressed the families of the victims, acknowledging their unimaginable loss. He told them, “There is not a sentence that would do what I wish I could do for all of you, and that is bring back your beautiful daughters.”
This tragic incident has left a deep impact on the Grand Canyon University community and beyond. It serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving.
