Police arrest teen in connection to fatal 2021 crash in west Phoenix

Phoenix Police made an arrest Tuesday in connection to a 2021 crash that left one dead and four injured in west Phoenix.

Phoenix Police arrested Christian Aragon Zazueta, 18, and charged him with one count of manslaughter.

Police say Zazueta, who was a minor at the time of the incident, rear ended a Jeep around 4 a.m. on the morning of June 19, 2021, at the intersection of 51st Avenue and Van Buren Street, killing the Jeep’s driver after the vehicle burst into flames and collided into a street light pole.

Police believe Zazueta was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of the crash. According to arrest records, Zazueta was uninjured and remained at the scene of the crash. Officers say he told them he admitted to drinking two beers earlier at a friend's house.

Zazueta was booked the day of the crash for DUI and his blood draw results indicated a 0.06 BAC and presence of THC.

According to arrest records, investigators estimated that the Mercedes SUV that Zazueta is accused of driving was traveling between 93-114 miles per hour when it rear ended the Jeep, which had been traveling between 40-50 miles per hour. The posted speed limit for the area is 45 miles per hour.

Police booked Zazueta on a felony manslaughter charge on Tuesday. Zazueta’s next preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 6.