PHOENIX, AZ — An illegal immigrant faces multiple charges 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, 30-year-old Brenda Rivera Estrada tested positive for marijuana and methamphetamine at the time of the incident. Authorities stated that the crash ejected her daughter from the vehicle.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that Rivera Estrada has been indicted on one count of manslaughter, three counts of endangerment, and drug-related charges. “This criminal illegal alien has been INDICTED after toxicology reports showed she was driving IMPAIRED during the crash,” DHS said.
Officials reported that Rivera Estrada was initially booked on allegations of manslaughter and child abuse. Public safety troopers suspected impairment due to drug use, but toxicology results were pending. The subsequent results confirmed the presence of both drugs.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) previously stated that charges were not filed initially. However, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell clarified that the case was not declined but postponed for further investigation, including lab results.
ICE noted that Rivera Estrada entered the U.S. through Nogales, Arizona, in February 2009, allowed to stay for 30 days but has since remained unlawfully. She is currently in the Maricopa County Jail on a $250,000 cash bond.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to gather additional evidence.