Arizona driver pleads guilty in wrong-way crash that killed a Maui medical student and two others

NEW RIVER, AZ (AZFamily) — A Phoenix man faces several years behind bars after pleading guilty in connection with a wrong-way driving crash that killed three Grand Canyon University students nearly two years ago.

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

The accident occurred shortly before 4 a.m. on October 10, 2022, when Acosta, traveling the wrong way in the northbound lanes of Interstate 17 near New River, collided with three other vehicles.

Previous coverage: Man arrested after Phoenix crash that killed Maui college student and two others

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

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

Under the agreement, Acosta must serve between 18 and 22 years in prison for each charge, which he must serve concurrently, and his driver's license will be revoked.

Acosta's sentencing is scheduled for September 27.

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