Phoenix mom accused of using marijuana before fatal car crash

Brenda Liliana Rivera Estrada faces manslaughter and child abuse charges after her 9-year-old daughter was killed in the rollover accident.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 11:39pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car window reflecting the faint glow of emergency lights, conceptually illustrating the aftermath of a tragic accident.The shattered remnants of a car accident scene expose the devastating human toll of impaired driving.Phoenix Today

A 30-year-old Phoenix woman has been arrested and accused in the death of her 9-year-old daughter in a car accident. Authorities say Brenda Liliana Rivera Estrada acknowledged using marijuana a day earlier and that the vehicle smelled of the drug after it overturned on Interstate 17. Rivera Estrada insisted she was not under the drug's influence at the time of the April 12 crash, but witnesses said she was speeding and driving recklessly just before the accident.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the dangers of impaired driving and the devastating consequences it can have, especially when children are involved. It also raises questions about drug use and its impact on parental responsibility and public safety.

The details

According to prosecutors, Rivera Estrada's 9-year-old daughter was sharing a seatbelt with another child when the vehicle rolled over, and she was ejected from the car. Rivera Estrada's three other children, ages 11, 3, and 1, were treated and released from the hospital. Authorities say a trooper detected the odor of marijuana in the vehicle after the crash and that Rivera Estrada admitted to using the drug the day before the incident.

  • The car accident occurred on April 12, 2026 on Interstate 17 near Peoria Avenue in Phoenix.
  • Rivera Estrada said she had used marijuana on April 11 at 6 a.m.

The players

Brenda Liliana Rivera Estrada

A 30-year-old Phoenix woman who was arrested and accused in the death of her 9-year-old daughter in a car accident.

Ashley Stetson

A deputy Maricopa County attorney who cited 'extreme concern' for Rivera Estrada's three other children who survived the accident.

Kameron Lee

An Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesperson who provided details about the accident.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'During the investigation, the trooper did observe an odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. The state does believe there may have been an admission of marijuana use by the suspect. The suspect did say that she smoked marijuana on April 11 at 6 a.m.'”

— Ashley Stetson, Deputy Maricopa County Attorney

“'They did the blood test on me, and I was not high.'”

— Brenda Liliana Rivera Estrada

What’s next

Rivera Estrada is currently jailed on a $100,000 bond and faces manslaughter and child abuse charges. The judge allowed her to have contact with her three surviving children, despite the prosecutor's request to bar it.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the critical importance of responsible driving and the need for greater awareness and prevention of impaired driving, especially when children are involved. It also highlights the complex issues surrounding drug use, parental responsibility, and public safety that policymakers and the community must continue to grapple with.