16-year-old girl, killed, after she is struck by a SUV, driven by Roberto Rodriguez, 20, who was arrested on multiple charges, while sleeping in her home in Palmdale.

Modified Date: 
Wed, 09/24/2014 - 11:31am
Accident Date: 
Saturday, April 19, 2014

Friends Remember Teen Killed After Suspected DUI Driver Plows Into Her Bedroom.

A beloved teen, who was killed in her sleep when an SUV plowed into her bedroom at an apartment building in Southern California Sunday, was remembered by friends and school officials.

SUV crashes into apartment, killing girl asleep in bed.

A 16-year-old Southern California girl was killed while sleeping in her bed after an alleged drunken driver crashed his sport utility vehicle into her home early Sunday, authorities said.

A 16-year-old Southern California girl was killed while sleeping in her bed after an alleged drunken driver crashed his sport utility vehicle into her home early Sunday, authorities said.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said 20-year-old Roberto Rodriguez of Palmdale allegedly crashed his Nissan Pathfinder into a corner of an apartment building at 3:50 a.m., damaging two units.

When deputies arrived they found the SUV embedded in the building and the girl dead, later identifed as Gisselle Mendoza, inside one of the apartments.

Rodriguez was taken to a hospital with minor injuries and has been booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter. He was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

About half of the 11-unit building was evacuated because of leaking fuel from the vehicle, officials said. Most of the residents were expected to return to their apartments after the SUV was removed and inspectors determined whether the building was structurally sound.

Witnesses said the vehicle was traveling about 80 miles per hour at the time of the accident.

Palmdale is about 60 miles north of downtown Los Angeles.

Type: Car Accident
People Involved: 
Roberto Rodriguez
Gisselle Mendoza

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