Driver arrested over 2023 crash that killed passenger near Phoenix

Leobardo Salazar-Cisneros, 64, was arrested on Monday by the U.S. Marshals Service on manslaughter charges stemming from a car crash that killed his passenger, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

On the night of July 31, 2023, Salazar-Cisneros was driving a car in Estrella Village near Maricopa County Road 85 and 91st Avenue, according to officials.

Cristina Mano-Cruz, 50, was seated in the passenger seat of the vehicle that proceeded down the road with its headlights turned off, according to the agency's Sgt. Monica Bretado.

Officials said Salazar-Cisneros struck another car turning left after a yellow light and later said he did not see the other driver. Mano-Cruz died at the scene.

Salazar-Cisneros survived but was taken the hospital with serious injuries. A blood test determined his blood alcohol level was 0.119%, according to officials.

On July 10, a grand jury warrant for one count of manslaughter and two counts of endangerment charges against Leobardo Salazar-Cisneros were issued by the Maricopa County Superior Court, according to court documents.

On Monday, Salazar-Cisneros was arrested without incident at his home near 71st and Missouri avenues in Glendale, according to court documents. He was booked in a Maricopa County jail, according to Bretado.

In 2016, The Republic reported that Salazar-Cisneros, then 56, was arrested for an outstanding warrant for failing to pay a fine with the Deming Municipal Court in New Mexico.

Salazar-Cisneros was held on a $100,000 secured appearance bond. His next court appearance was on July 23.