A driver who was allegedly high on marijuana behind the wheel has been accused of causing the death of one man and seriously injuring multiple others.
Wendy Cisneros, 22, whose last known address was in Federal Way, has been charged with vehicular homicide, three counts of vehicular assault, and reckless driving following a fatal collision in SeaTac on June 21.
The charges were filed by King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion in Superior Court on June 26. On July 10, Cisneros was arraigned and pleaded not guilty. Her bail was set at $750,000.
According to court documents, at about 4 p.m. June 21, Cisneros was allegedly under the influence of marijuana while driving a 2021 Honda Civic with her cousin as a passenger. Charging documents state that marijuana influences perception, psychomotor performance, cognitive and affective functions, and will affect coordination, vigilance and alertness, and will impair driving ability.
Witnesses and evidence suggest that Cisneros was speeding on a 25 mph road, failed to stop at a red light, and collided with a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Jonathan Kronsburg, 19. The Malibu rolled over and came to rest on its roof.
According to charging documents, Cisneros said she was running late to work and thought the road she was on was a 35 mph zone. A responding officer said he heard Cisneros say, “It’s all my fault. I caused this. This is my fault.”
Kronsburg suffered critical injuries and was declared legally dead on June 23. His sister, age 16, was in the backseat and suffered severe facial lacerations and other injuries. At the time charges were filed, Kronsburg’s fiancee, 26, seated in the front passenger seat, remained in the hospital with multiple internal injuries and fractures. On June 26, when the charging documents were filed, documents said that Kronsburg’s fiancee was intubated and nonresponsive. Cisneros’ cousin also suffered a serious internal bowel injury, according to documents.
Police officers and firefighters responded to the scene shortly after the crash. According to documents, Cisneros was untruthful about her marijuana usage, but then admitted to causing the accident and later confessed to having smoked marijuana earlier that day, according to documents. The documents said officers found commercial packaging containers for marijuana and a lighter on the vehicle’s floorboard. Additionally, in the driver’s door pocket was a bag of Doritos and what appeared to be more marijuana packaging, according to documents.
Cisneros said that she had smoked at 12:30 p.m., but she was a heavy smoker and could “Hang, you know?” she said. A responding officer said that Cisneros’ eyes were glazed, and bloodshot, and she had droopy eyelids.
Cisneros also has a pending DUI charge from October 2023, when she admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol. Her driving history includes multiple traffic infractions and violations.
In addition t Cisneros’ bail, there are additional conditions stating that if released, she is prohibited from driving without a valid license and insurance, receiving any moving vehicle violations, consuming marijuana, and being in an establishment where marijuana is the main commodity.
The case remains under investigation, and Cisneros is scheduled to appear in court for further proceedings.