In Loving Memory of Ashtyn Vandersloot, Antonio Olalde, and Grace Hobbs

In Loving Memory of Ashtyn Vandersloot, Antonio Olalde, and Grace Hobbs

TUCSON, Ariz. — The Tucson community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of three young lives following a tragic crash at the intersection of East Valencia Road and South Country Club Road on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The incident claimed the lives of 20-year-old Ashtyn Vandersloot, 20-year-old Antonio Olalde, and 18-year-old Grace Hobbs, leaving family, friends, and the community devastated.

According to the Tucson Police Department, the crash occurred at approximately 7:16 p.m. in a collision between a black BMW 750, driven by Ashtyn Vandersloot, and a silver Buick Envision driven by a 55-year-old woman who suffered minor injuries. Passengers Antonio Olalde and Grace Hobbs were also in the BMW and, along with Ashtyn, were tragically pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger, a 19-year-old male, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Investigators reported that witnesses and video evidence indicate the BMW was speeding eastbound on Valencia Road and collided with the Buick as it was turning left. Authorities also reported that Ashtyn Vandersloot was reportedly racing another vehicle at the time of the crash. The Tucson Police Department’s Traffic Collision Investigation Unit continues to investigate the incident and is seeking assistance from the public to identify the other vehicle involved in the race.

The deaths of Ashtyn, Antonio, and Grace have sent shockwaves through the community. Loved ones remember them as vibrant, caring, and ambitious young adults, full of promise and dreams for the future. Family and friends describe Ashtyn as energetic and fiercely loyal, Antonio as kind-hearted with an infectious smile, and Grace as thoughtful, intelligent, and full of life. Their loss is a profound tragedy, leaving a void that can never be filled.

“Losing these three bright young people is devastating,” said one friend. “They had so much to give to the world, and their laughter, friendship, and energy will be deeply missed by everyone who knew them. It’s hard to imagine a community without their smiles and spirit.”

In the wake of the tragedy, the Tucson community has come together to support the families of the victims, offering prayers, condolences, and solidarity during this unimaginably difficult time. Vigils and memorials are being planned to honor Ashtyn, Antonio, and Grace, allowing friends, classmates, and community members to gather, share memories, and celebrate their lives.

While their lives were tragically cut short, the legacies of Ashtyn Vandersloot, Antonio Olalde, and Grace Hobbs will endure in the hearts of those who loved them. Their memory will live on through the stories shared, the laughter remembered, and the lives they touched with their warmth, kindness, and spirit.

As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with information to contact 9-1-1 or 88-CRIME. Meanwhile, the community remains united in mourning these three young lives and in supporting their families through an unimaginable loss.

The lives of Ashtyn, Antonio, and Grace remind us all of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing each day, every friendship, and every moment spent with those we love. Though gone too soon, their memory will forever shine in the hearts of all who knew them