Arizona driver pleads guilty in wrong-way crash that killed Maui pre-med student, 2 others

NEW RIVER, AZ (AZFamily) — A Phoenix man is set to spend years behind bars after pleading guilty in connection with a wrong-way crash that left three Grand Canyon University students dead nearly two years ago.

Last week, Vincent Ian Acosta pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree murder. As part of a plea deal, other charges were dropped.

The crash happened just before 4 a.m. on Oct. 10, 2022, when Acosta hit three other vehicles while driving the wrong way in the northbound lanes of Interstate 17 near New River.

Previous Coverage: Man arrested in Phoenix crash that killed Maui college student, 2 others

Two people in one of the other cars died at the scene, while a third died later at a hospital. They were later identified as:

Hunter Balberdi, 19, from Wailuku, HI
Abriauna Hoffman, 18, from Clarkston, WA
Magdalyn (Maggie) Ogden, 18, from Clarkston, WA

Acosta was initially charged with three counts of second-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault and 11 counts of endangerment. He was later indicted by a Maricopa County grand jury.

Per the plea deal, Acosta will spend between 18 and 22 years in prison on each charge to be served concurrently. His driver’s license will also be revoked.

Acosta’s sentencing is set for Sept. 27.