Weekend wrap: Here are the biggest Arizona news stories from May 15-17

From a former Arizona Cardinal dying from an overdose to a massive data center project coming to Mesa, here are some of the top Arizona news stories from May 15-17.

Former Arizona Cardinal Josh Mauro died from fentanyl, cocaine and ethanol overdose, according to records

Former NFL defensive lineman Josh Mauro died from an acute combination of fentanyl, cocaine and ethanol intoxication, according to online records from the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner.

The report said that the 35-year-old Mauro died on April 23 and classified the death as accidental.

The 6-foot-6, 290-pounder played eight NFL seasons, including six with the Arizona Cardinals and one each with the New York Giants and then-Oakland Raiders. His most productive season came in 2016 with the Cardinals when he played in 15 games, starting 13, and finished with 32 tackles.

He played in college at Stanford and his final season in the NFL was with the Cardinals in 2021. Mauro played in 80 total NFL games, starting 40, and had five career sacks.

81-year-old Chandler man dead after 3-vehicle crash in Peoria

An 81-year-old man from Chandler is dead following a three-vehicle collision in Peoria on Friday morning, authorities said.

The Peoria Police Department identified the deceased man as Daniel Cohn.

Officers responded to the crash near State Route 74 and New River Road around 9:47 a.m. Authorities said the preliminary investigation suggests that one of the vehicles, which was traveling westbound on SR74, crossed left of the center and collided with two vehicles going eastbound.

In addition to Cohn, two other people were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

Japanese company’s East Valley data center campus moves forward

A massive data center project planned in Mesa is moving forward.

Mesa Planning Commission members cast their votes on May 13 in a quiet and nearly empty chamber, ending a 10-minute meeting with a unanimous vote that recommended approval of the 2.2 million-square-foot data center project.

The Wednesday meeting stood in contrast to a raucous four-hour meeting Chandler City Council experienced last December when a group of red-clad attendees formed a striking opposition to a data center project known as Price Road Innovation Campus. It’s one of many data center projects in the Valley facing increasing scrutiny.

Arizona woman sentenced in trafficking case involving fentanyl, meth, cocaine, land mines

A woman who ran a criminal enterprise that sold cocaine, land mines, methamphetamine and more has been sentenced to 14.5 years in prison, according to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

Christina Eileen Gonzalez conducted the criminal enterprise throughout August 2025, selling “Bouncing Betty” land mines, along with drugs and a firearm, prosecutors said.

With a search warrant, investigators found fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and several firearms at Gonzalez’s residence.

Buckeye PD arrests man accused of killing pregnant 16-year-old girlfriend, injuring 2 others

A pregnant 16-year-old girl is dead after her boyfriend allegedly shot her and two others on Thursday night in the West Valley, authorities said.

Rylee Montomgery died on the scene after the shooting, which took place near Warner Street and Miller Road in Buckeye, according to the Buckeye Police Department.

Police said she was in a relationship with 18-year-old Michael Sanchez, who was taken into custody after a SWAT situation near Dysart Road and MC 85 in Avondale.

Sanchez was booked into jail on multiple felony charges after the arrest, which was made with help from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Avondale Police Department.

Two other female victims were injured in the shooting: a 22-year-old woman and a 17-year-old pregnant girl, both of whom were rushed to a hospital, police said.

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