10/13/2026
⚖️ SENTENCING REPORT: State of Arizona v. Mason Rose ⚖️
Cochise County Attorney Lori Zucco announced the sentencing of Mason Rose, 37, on two counts involving Negligent Homicide and Aggravated Driving Under the Influence.
Rose received a prison term of seven years for Count 1, Negligent Homicide, and a term of four months with a probation tail of 10 years for Count 2, Aggravated Driving Under the Influence, in the Arizona Department of Corrections to run concurrently.
This case stems from a fatal head-on collision that occurred February 28, 2025, on U.S. Highway 191, resulting in the death of Araceli Esparza. According to the investigation, Rose was traveling southbound in a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado when he crossed the centerline and collided head-on with Esparza, who was traveling northbound in a 2010 Chrysler 300. Following the collision, Rose was transported to a hospital in Douglas for medical evaluation, where a toxicology report revealed a blood alcohol concentration of .090. Rose admitted to consuming multiple alcoholic beverages the previous night, with additional evidence results indicating the presence of alcohol in his bloodstream.
🔵 A statement from the family of Araceli Esparza:
“Araceli Esparza was a deeply loved daughter, sister, aunt, and family member whose presence meant so much to all of us. She was loving, caring, protective, and always willing to be there for the people she loved. Family was incredibly important to her, and she showed that through the time, care, and love she gave so freely.
Araceli was vibrant and full of personality. She had a beautiful smile, gorgeous curly hair, a memorable laugh, and a confidence that could be felt whenever she entered a room. She had her own unique style and took pride in who she was. She brought laughter, love, and left so many memories for our family that we will cherish for the rest of our lives.
It is difficult to put into words everything Araceli meant to our family because she was someone you truly had to know and experience. Her absence is felt in our family every day.
More than anything, we want our community to remember that Araceli was so much more than the circumstances surrounding her death. She was a person with a life, a family, a personality, a beautiful spirit, and people who loved her deeply. What happened to her is part of her story, but it is not who she was. To us, she will always be Araceli, and the love she gave our family and the memories she left behind will always be greater than the tragedy that took her from us. We thank God for her life every single day and we were blessed to have lived a life beside her.”
— Family of Araceli Esparza
🟤 This case was investigated by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Trooper Kyle Mahoney, and was prosecuted by the Cochise County Attorney’s Office, Deputy County Attorney Terisha Driggs.
*Please note, this content may reference individuals or allegations under investigation. All such individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Cochise County Attorney's Office
Jessica R. Garcia, Public Relations
Contact: [email protected]
