Wrong-Way Driver Sentenced to 22 Years for Killing 3 Grand Canyon University Students
IStock

Wrong-Way Driver Sentenced to 22 Years for Killing 3 Grand Canyon University Students

Vincent Ian Acosta pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the tragic 2022 crash caused by impairment.

PHOENIX — The driver responsible for a fatal wrong-way crash that claimed the lives of three Grand Canyon University (GCU) students in October 2022 has been sentenced to 22 years in prison, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced Friday.

Vincent Ian Acosta, 27, pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder for the crash, which occurred on Interstate 17 near Table Mesa Road. Investigators determined that Acosta was impaired at the time of the collision, with a blood alcohol content above the legal limit of 0.08%.

Details of the Incident

The tragic crash happened early on October 6, 2022, when Acosta’s vehicle struck a car carrying three GCU students: Hunter Balberdi, 19; Abriauna Hoffman, 18; and Magdalyn Ogden, 18. Balberdi and Hoffman died on impact, while Ogden succumbed to her injuries after being transported to a hospital. The three young women were suitemates at GCU.

The crash involved four vehicles in total, and Acosta was taken to the hospital in an unconscious state. The incident led to the closure of northbound I-17 for approximately seven hours, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

A Tragic Reminder

The case underscores the devastating consequences of impaired driving. “This sentence reflects the serious nature of this crime and the irreversible loss suffered by the victims’ families and the GCU community,” the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

The tragic deaths of Balberdi, Hoffman, and Ogden remain a poignant reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence. Their loss continues to be deeply felt by loved ones, friends, and the GCU community.