PHOENIX, AZ—A 30-year-old woman was indicted following a rollover crash on April 12 that killed her 9-year-old daughter and injured three other children, according to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.
Brenda Rivera Estrada is charged with one count of manslaughter, three counts of endangerment, and drug-related charges. Toxicology results indicated she tested positive for marijuana and methamphetamine at the time of the incident, prosecutors confirmed.
Authorities reported that Rivera Estrada was driving impaired when the crash occurred, which ejected her daughter from a vehicle. Initial allegations included manslaughter and child abuse, with public safety troopers observing signs of impairment during their investigation.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported that Rivera Estrada, who entered the U.S. in February 2009 as a non-immigrant, has remained unlawfully since her 30-day authorization expired. ICE took her into custody after the county attorney's office chose to further investigate the case before filing charges.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell stated that the prosecution was delayed for additional evidence gathering. Rivera Estrada is currently held on a $250,000 cash bond at the Maricopa County Jail.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene, and further details regarding lane closures or tows have not been released. The investigation remains ongoing.