In Phoenix, the driver responsible for a tragic wrong-way crash that killed three Grand Canyon University students in October 2022 has been sentenced to 22 years in prison. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced the sentencing on Friday.
The driver, 27-year-old Vincent Ian Acosta, admitted guilt and pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder. Investigators revealed that alcohol was a factor in the devastating accident, with Acosta’s blood alcohol level found to be above the legal limit of 0.08%.
The crash happened early on October 6, 2022, along Interstate 17 near Table Mesa Road. Acosta, driving the wrong way, collided with a car carrying three young women from Grand Canyon University. Two of the students, 19-year-old Hunter Balberdi and 18-year-old Abriauna Hoffman, tragically lost their lives on the spot. The third passenger, 18-year-old Magdalyn Ogden, was rushed to a nearby hospital but sadly passed away due to her injuries.
The three students were close friends and suitemates at the university, and their loss left a deep impact on the GCU community.
The collision was part of a larger chain reaction involving four vehicles in total. Acosta himself was found unconscious at the scene and taken to a hospital. Following the crash, the northbound lanes of Interstate 17 were closed for around seven hours, as reported by the Arizona Department of Transportation.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of impaired driving, a message that resonates deeply with many in the community still mourning the loss of these young lives.
