Doña Ana County Sheriff’s investigators have confirmed with the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office that enhanced charges will be filed against the teenage driver who was involved in a crash that killed a 16-year-old girl and a 32-year old woman Tuesday night in Hatch.
According to court documents, Vanessa Rodriguez, 16, is now charged with negligent child abuse resulting in death, vehicular homicide, great bodily harm by vehicle, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, driving without a license and minor in possession of alcohol. Additional charges of DWI are pending.
The charge of negligent child abuse resulting in death provides that Rodriguez can be tried as an adult.
Rodriguez was reportedly the driver of a 2003 GMC pickup that crashed head-on with a 2002 Hyundai Sonata, which deputies say was driven by Elida Garcia, 32. Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the scene just before 7 p.m.
Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger in Garcia’s vehicle, 50-year-old Maria Granados, was transported to an El Paso-area hospital from injuries she sustained in the crash.
Deputies say there were two passengers in Rodriguez’s truck, 16-year-old Sonia Rodriguez and a 13-year-old boy. Sonia Rodriguez, no relation to the driver, was killed after she was partially ejected from the truck after it rolled on impact with the Hyundai.
The 13-year-old’s name is being withheld, pending further investigation.
Vanessa Rodriguez, who reportedly did not have permission to drive her parents’ truck, told investigators she and Sonia had started drinking after school and later picked up the 13-year-old boy, who was Sonia’s cousin.
The three were reportedly on their way to Salem, where Vanessa lives, when Vanessa decided she wanted to return to Doña Ana Community College to finish a report for school. She told investigators Sonia began to argue with her because she wanted to go home, and allegedly grabbed the steering wheel.
Vanessa said she tried to take control of the vehicle, but it had already drifted into the oncoming lane, and into the path of Garcia’s Sonata.
Deputies at the scene reported smelling an odor of alcohol on Vanessa. A blood sample was taken at the scene of the crash, which will determine whether additional DWI charges will be filed.
Vanessa Rodriguez remains at the Doña Ana County Juvenile Detention Center, where she is being held without bond.
Information from Dona Ana County