Janessa Milagro Mazur Diaz Dies After Sacramento Cemetery Collision

SACRAMENTO, CA – Janessa Milagro Mazur Diaz, 13 months old, died after a driver struck her and her father Sunday afternoon at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Sacramento. Her father was hospitalized in intensive care after the Nov. 1 collision, which occurred while families were visiting the cemetery for Dia de los Muertos observances.

Sacramento police officers responded shortly before 4:45 p.m. to the 6700 block of 21st Avenue. They found the child and an adult man injured on the cemetery grounds. Both were taken to a hospital, where Janessa died despite lifesaving efforts. Police initially described the man’s injuries as not life-threatening, while a later account said he remained in intensive care.

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Janessa Milagro Mazur Diaz Accident Investigation

Officers detained the driver as he attempted to leave, according to the department’s official investigation update. Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives and crime scene investigators then took over the case. Police said they processed the scene, canvassed the area and interviewed witnesses before arresting the driver.

Authorities identified the driver as Miguel Landeros Guzman, 50, of Sacramento. Police arrested him on suspicion of driving under the influence and booked him on allegations that included felony DUI causing injury and felony hit-and-run. Those allegations remained subject to the continuing investigation, and no final civil or criminal finding of fault had been made.

The collision occurred during a large cemetery gathering near 21st Avenue and 65th Street Expressway. The father and daughter were visiting a family gravesite, according to the updated incident account. Police had not released a detailed vehicle path, speed estimate or explanation of how the driver reached the area occupied by pedestrians.

Father Remained Hospitalized After Crash

Janessa’s father survived the impact but remained in intensive care when the later report was published. Authorities did not publicly identify him. The initial police release described his injuries as not life-threatening, but it did not provide diagnoses or a discharge timetable. The later account did not explain whether his condition had changed after officers issued the first statement.

The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office released Janessa’s name after notifying relatives. Police had not said whether any other pedestrians were endangered or whether the collision damaged gravesites or cemetery property. Investigators also had not published toxicology results or explained the factual basis for the suspected impairment allegation.

The Major Collision Investigation Unit continued examining the crash. Police asked witnesses and anyone with information to contact the department’s dispatch center at 916-808-5471. Guzman’s arrest ended the immediate search for the driver, but it did not establish fault for Janessa’s death and her father’s injuries. Investigators had not released final findings about the vehicle’s path or the events immediately before impact.