Sheriff’s deputies announced the arrest and extradition of a suspect who fled to Mexico while on release for a fatal crash in Mesa 13 years ago.

Christopher Joseph Flores, 31, faces charges of manslaughter and marijuana possession/use in connection to a collision Sept. 23, 2006 that killed Jason Wedo. 

At the time, MCSO said Mr. Flores was driving a 1994 Toyota Celica on eastbound McKellips Road near Dobson Road when he failed to yield to a curve, left the roadway and struck Mr. Wedo, who was bicycling to help a friend move. After the collision, Mr. Flores’ vehicle overturned.

Mr. Flores was taken to a hospital, but Mr. Wedo was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr. Wedo left behind a wife and a 2-year-old daughter, authorities said.

Authorities determined Mr. Flores — who had turned 18 a week before the collision — was impaired by marijuana and alcohol. He was initially booked into jail after his release from the hospital, but he was released pending further toxicology results.

A grand jury warrant was later issued for Mr. Flores, but MCSO’s continued efforts to locate him proved futile. The U.S. Marshals Service had also been trying to locate him for multiple years, a release states.

However, over the past few days, the Marshals Service learned Mr. Flores was in Mexico. He was arrested there and later brought back to Maricopa County Friday evening.

“Deputy U.S. Marshals assigned to this case never forgot Jason’s family as they followed leads in Europe, Central America, and Mexico,” U.S. Marshal David Gonzales stated. “I hope that the arrest of Flores brings some solace to Jason’s wife and daughter.”

According to records, Mr. Flores had obtained a passport, and with the help of his family he fled to Mexico. During the investigation, authorities learned Mr. Flores’ father had been funding a bank account in Puerto Vallarta, which is where Mexican police and the Marshals Service found him.

Mr. Flores reportedly told authorities his grandfather had aided him in getting a Mexican ID under false pretenses, records state.

“Mr. Flores has been on the run for over a decade,” Sheriff Paul Penzone stated. “Through hard work, excellent investigative strategies and a combined effort between state, local and federal authorities, Mr. Flores has been captured and will face the consequences of his actions in 2008 [sic].”