Sahuarita man charged with manslaughter in 2002 car accident

A Sahuarita Heights man was arrested at his home Friday and charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of a 7-month-old baby in a vehicle accident in 2002.

Jesus Manuel Moran, 41, was arrested on the front porch of his family’s house in the 3600 block of East Dawson Road around 6 p.m., Friday, by members of the Arizona Department of Public Safety GIITEM (Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission) unit, and by Pima County Regional SWAT team members, who served Moran with a search warrant on Wednesday.

Moran was involved in a three-car collision on Nov. 23, 2002 in Tucson that killed 7-month-old Elijah Archuleta, Sahuarita Police and DPS authorities say.

He was taken to the hospital, where he was interviewed by police, who found him to be at fault in the accident, but did not arrest him at the time.

Sahuarita Police spokesperson Sam Almodova said the suspect gave police a fake name when he was interviewed at the hospital and left the hospital before authorities were alerted.

Moran has been in hiding since 2002, possibly living in Mexico, said Almodova.

Recently, police received a tip that Moran was living at his old house in Sahuarita Heights.

Moran was taken to Pima County Jail Friday and is being held without bond. A court date has not be set.

Moran had previously served seven years in state prison for a 1992 homicide involving a shooting in South Tucson.

jrichardson@gvnews.com | 547-9726