Cecilia Cisneros Cuadros Killed in Phoenix DUI Accident
21-year-old driver faces charges after running red light at 59th Avenue and McDowell Road
Cecilia Cisneros Cuadros, 43, was killed and a passenger injured in a suspected DUI crash at 59th Avenue and McDowell Road in Phoenix, Arizona, late June 18, according to police.
A black pickup truck traveling at a high rate of speed ran a red light and slammed into a white sedan, launching the car into a nearby business. The pickup then crashed into a light pole.
Paramedics rushed the driver of the sedan, Cuadros, to a local hospital, where she later died. A 20-year-old passenger in the car survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
The 21-year-old male driver of the pickup truck showed signs of impairment at the scene, investigators said. He was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police confirmed the man will be booked into jail and face criminal charges once he is released from medical custody. His name has not been released.
The intersection was closed for several hours while detectives processed the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
Why did the pickup truck run the red light on 59th Avenue?
Investigators are examining the corner of 59th Avenue and McDowell Road to determine the exact speed of the pickup truck before the collision.
Cristina Perez, attorney at Perez Law Group, said, "Crashes involving suspected impairment carry a heavier investigative burden because so many forms of evidence need collection before conditions change significantly. Toxicology results, event data recorder readings, and roadway reconstruction factor into building a complete picture."
"Serving as an advocate, an attorney can secure search warrants, preserve physical evidence, and help prepare affected families for the legal process ahead," added Perez, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News
The crash adds to a rising toll across the state. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, the state recorded 347 alcohol-related deaths in 2024, with Maricopa County accounting for 64% of all alcohol-involved crashes and just over half of alcohol-related fatalities.
What are the legal implications of the pending criminal charges?
While criminal charges address the state's interest in punishing the at-fault driver, the family of Cuadros and her injured passenger face a sudden and overwhelming loss.
The pending criminal case against the 21-year-old driver will proceed separately from any civil claims pursued by the victims. Evidence gathered by Phoenix police, including toxicology reports and witness statements regarding the red-light violation, will be critical in establishing liability.
Arizona wrongful death statute
Under A.R.S. § 12-611, surviving family members of a person killed in a traffic collision may file a wrongful death action in Arizona. The state applies pure comparative fault when determining liability. The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages under Arizona's wrongful death statute may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship and consortium, funeral and burial expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering. Arizona law designates specific parties — typically a surviving spouse, children, or parents — as eligible to bring a wrongful death action.
"Insurance companies move quickly after fatal crashes, presenting settlements that fall short of what surviving relatives deserve. Serving as an advocate, an attorney reviews every offer, pushes back against inadequate figures, and protects families before full damages are properly assessed," explained Gabe Miller, a national legal analyst for Accident News and attorney at Perez Law Group.