The Antelope Valley Times

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Suspected drunk driver crashes SUV into apartment, teen killed

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The crash happened early Sunday morning at an apartment building in the 1000 block of East Avenue R in Palmdale. Sunday afternoon, the SUV was still embedded. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)
The crash happened early Sunday morning at an apartment building in the 1000 block of East Avenue R in Palmdale. Sunday afternoon, the SUV was still embedded. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)
Giselle Mendoza (Twitter photo)
Giselle Mendoza (Twitter photo)

PALMDALE – A 16-year-old Palmdale girl sleeping inside her room was killed early Sunday morning, when a suspected drunk driver rammed his SUV into the residence.

The teenager, identified by family members as Palmdale High School student Giselle Mendoza, was pronounced at the scene. The driver, 20-year-old Roberto Rodriguez, was treated at the hospital for minor injuries and then booked for vehicular manslaughter, according to a press release from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station. Read it below:

Early Sunday morning, April 20, 2014, a Palmdale Sheriff’s Station patrol unit travelling on East Avenue R at 10th Street East, Palmdale, noticed a sports utility vehicle embedded into the wall of an apartment building in the 1000 block of East Avenue R, Palmdale.

Citizens at the scene detained the suspect drunk driver. (LUIS MEZA)
Citizens at the scene detained the suspected drunk driver. (LUIS MEZA)

It was approximately 3:50 a.m. when the deputy contacted citizens at the scene and found they were detaining the driver of the vehicle. The driver, identified as Roberto Rodriguez (male, 20 years old, resident of Palmdale), was taken into custody by the deputy. The vehicle was a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder.

Residents alerted Sheriff’s personnel that a female occupant was possibly in the room into which the vehicle collided and became embedded.

Roberto Rodriguez
Roberto Rodriguez

Additional deputies responded and attempted to enter the building by pulling away the damaged wall, but were unable to gain full access.

Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel responded, gained access into the apartment and located a female, 16 years old, who was fatally injured inside the home. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary investigation indicates that alcohol intoxication may have been a factor in this incident.

Rodriguez was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries and was booked at Palmdale Sheriff’s Station for vehicular manslaughter. He is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

The crash displaced at least two more families at the apartment complex, authorities at the scene said. The American Red Cross responded to the scene to help the affected families.

UPDATE: Rodriguez bonded out of jail around 7:49 p.m. Sunday, April 20, Sheriff’s officials said. He is due in court Tuesday, April 22.

UPDATED 4/22/14:

No charges had been filed against Roberto Rodriguez as of Tuesday, April 22, because the case had not yet been presented to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office, according to LADA spokesman Ricardo Santiago. A new arraignment date will be set once charges are filed.

UPDATED 5/20/14:

Roberto Rodriguez was charged May 19 with murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage causing injury and driving with a .08% blood alcohol content causing injury. The case also alleges Rodríguez caused great bodily injury upon the victim, Giselle Mendoza. Rodriguez pleaded not guilty on May 20.

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

148 comments for "Suspected drunk driver crashes SUV into apartment, teen killed"

  1. So sad,my friend is actually in jail with this guy roberto and tells me that this kid is so sad and regrets it every day he wakes up

  2. @Eric, hopping on Sally wow, maybe she saw the Trojans comments. Trying for another Queen dark knight?

  3. As a mother I feel so sad for the one mother that lost her daughter.
    I feel worse for the bad parenting to this Rodriguez man! He is not a kid, he is an adult who needs to man up to his stupidity. He took a life not thinking about the value and safety of others so I hope he spends lots of time in jail thinking about it. As for the parents of this man, I hope they can help the young lady’s family financially since they already screwed up on their son.

      • Chelsea, underage drinking and driving is NEVER an accident. He purposely chose to drink and get behind the wheel.

        • These kids need to realize that drinking or smoking Marijuan is not legal,I see it to much working in a fast food restaurant drive thru, they can’t even order their food, but they think they can drive.we’re is the parents kids, just let them do what they want, and look what happens.

      • To Chelsea you think loosing a love one to someone that knowing that driving drunk is wrong and killing someone is an accident, then your a irrisponsible person.

      • @Chelsea, it’s not an accident, that’s murder. He’s an adult and made a decision to drive drunk, unfortunately Giselle and her family are the ones paying price. You think they’re rude wow aren’t you a brainiack?

    • It’s not the parents fault it’s his fault get your facts right people no matter who it is has their own decisions so no I disagree with your statement with the parents messing up on their son he messed up himself. Seriously think I send my condolences to the family!

  6. Rest in Peace little one- for the rest of us remember- alcohol addiction is a killer in more ways than one

  7. My condolences go to her family which I knew personally, and her father who was a co-worker of my father

  8. Has anyone heard or did anyone show up today in court to see what he was given in regards to a punishment?

    • Per the update, they haven’t charged him with anything yet. Since he bailed out, they don’t have to charge him with the crime right away. Punishment is still a very long time away, especially if he drags it all the way to trial. Smh…

      • Granny, You’re not serious, right? How could he have been punished when he was just arrested two days ago?

  9. Rob needs to go to jail, he needs to learn his lesson for what he did he didn’t just drink and drive, he took the life of an innocent girl away.. Drinking and Driving is never right. People here are right whoever gave him the alcohol should get tracked down and be punished for supplying him with the alcohol in the first place. This is the ultimate example of how real friends will look out for you and will make sure you dont drink and drive..

    All this is comming from someone older who know rob since he was a little kid in 7th grade..

  11. Its so crazy I feel bad for both families, why would his friends let him drive,! Every time me and my friends drink none of us let each other drive if we had too much to drink, if your friends let you drink and drive they were never your friends. This is so sad the poor girl never got to live her life, and the guy will have to live with the fact he kill someone without the intention of doing it..he has court today I wonder what’s gonna happen

  12. Who the moron that bailed him out so that he can drink and drive all over again. Oh wait, that’s against the law so surely he will abide now…..

    • Who are you to judge? If it was your brother or son I’m sure you would want him home at least for a day or toe because he might never be able to see his family again…I understand Giselle’s family will never see her either which is sad but you and I aren’t god. We all talk about other people but if anyone else was in his place or his families I’m sure they would do the same.

      This is a really sad story…both sides Giselle’s family is hurting and so are his. His family didn’t choose for this to happen to him and hers didn’t either let’s just all hope he serves his time but give him a chance because he’s young and was stupid we all deserve a second chance…

      Rip giselle

      • Is not the first time with DUI, so is okay give him a third chance?
        if given another chance they are giving the green light for others to do the same.

      • Seriously? A second chance? This child, a daughter and sister is dead. You seriously believe that this guy deserves a second chance and that we should feel something for him? Right.

        • If he was related to you I can bet you would want him out. He’s still a kid we don’t know how he feels he probably regrets everything he regrets the people he hung out with the drinking the getting in the car everything. It sad how everything went down it’s not fine, it’s not right a young girl was killed but both families are hurting right now. That dude is someone’s son and I’m sure she’s hurting right now. Giselle is safer now. It’s sad but she’s not In this cruel world anymore god bless her. I’m just saying I put myself in his shoes and it’s sad to think that you can go to sleep and wake up hoping that it’ll all be over or it was just a bad dream and it’s not. He’s getting punished and has to remember that he killed a young girl for his stupid mistakes. Everyone should put themselves In both shoes and it wouldn’t be a nice situation from any side who are we to judge? We should all just pray and hope the best for everyone.

          My thoughts and prayers go out to both families!

          Giselle’s and Roberts because I’m sure they’re both destroyed.

          • Yes if he was my child I would want him out but he also needs to be taught a lesson. Some kids dont learn when they get “bailed” out of their mistakes. Everyone learns differently but the money used to bail him out should have been given to lighten the load of a mourning family wondering how they’re going to burry their child

          • I’m praying for comfort and peace for Giselle’s family and for understanding for Roberto’s family. What I don’t understand is why everyone calls him a “kid”? He is not a kid, he is an adult!! We are considered an adult at 18 yrs of age. We can go into the service at 18. We can buy cigarettes at 18. We can vote at 18! We CANNOT buy booze (alcohol) until we are 21. So who was the jackalope who gave him the alcohol or allowed him to drink it? Yes, he did make the choice to drink and drive but just like the law can prosecute store owners and hosts at parties for supplying alcohol and then allowing a visibly intoxicated person to drive I hope the sheriffs are trying to find out who else was involved and also prosecute them.

    • @jip Joe, . Whoever bailed him out needs to go to jail for enabling. Two families destroyed yes, both by the killer. So if you don’t want to be treated like a killer don’t kill people. He gets to live. I have a feeling he’s been doing this, his family let this happen and he’s out with nothing to loose.

  13. I bet he’s in Mexico now! Why would someone post bail for him knowing he will be going to prison? Unless they are going to help him flee?

      • Why, because he has a Hispanic name? Stay classy you too. Better yet, why don’t you two go get a bounty hunters permit and go track him down then? Oh, no? Well then maybe lay off the pessimism until the court date actually arrives huh…

        • I say it because Mexico is closer than Canada. Then again based off the PHOTO and not the name I would still say Mexico. With his hair color and complexion he would blend in. Duh.

        • Because Mexico is closer stupid idiot! Any race that wants to flee Cali will go there. You need to think before you respond.

          • You need to learn to read sentences before you respond… just saying, but its a shame this almost remind me of treyvon martin

  14. If that was my daughter he crushed to death he wouldn’t have made it to jail!!!!!!! He needs to spend the rest of his life in jail!

  15. It’s sad when you know them both personally :(

    Breaks your heart for both of them I’ll never see her again <\3
    And sad to see a good guy who did something wrong who caused him a lot a trouble for being dumb…

    Rip giselle :'(

    • I am so sorry for you and all of those that loved the victim. I wont spread the hate here – he will be spending much of his life paying for this. I don’t blame the family for bailing him out as they wont have much time with him after this. Letting the justice system get justice for her is all that can be done now.

  16. I personally hope he ends up getting some kind of punishment & the right amount even though he got out on bail he will still do time once trial is over if he even shows to court because I’m sure the family will press charges. My fiancé got in a car accident back in October he wasn’t under the influence but he was going over the speed limit, 3 people were injured & one passed. He’s doing 6years in prison at 85% he’s gonna be gone for 5years which really hurts but he’s paying consequences for choosing to speed. I’m not saying my fiancé’s situation is any better but I believe this guy deserves to do time because he was drunk & speeding.

  17. I can’t belive they got him out I just hope he doesn’t go drinking again since hopefully he will spend the rest of his life in jail and do another stupidly I live right next to there it’s really sad to see all that but yet he’s out there isn’t really justice in this world but god will punish him my heart go’s out to her family just to put are self in there shoes it could have been any of are children :(

    • I hope they hang this punk by his nuts. What is his address? Is someone watching to make sure he does not flee to Mexico?

      This was intentional murder plain and simple. He intentionally sucked booze down his throat, and got behind the wheel of a car knowing damn well he could kill someone. And this is the outcome.

      Hopefully someone will follow him around so he cannot flee the country.

    • I feel really bad for Giselle’s family. I can’t imagine what they’re going through right now I met the guy when he was younger and I feel bad for him too. I’m sure he didn’t mean to go out and kill someone. He made the wrong choice of getting into a car when he was drunk and whoever he was with should feel bad because if they truly cared he wouldn’t haven’t gotten into that car especially knowing he had drank. This is a nightmare he won’t ever wake up from and that’s sad because I’m sure he feels bad for what happened. He seemed like a good kid. Just made a wrong choice that cost someone’s life. He deserves to be In jail for awhile, but it sad that he’s so young and didn’t even mean to kill someone. I don’t judge him because we were all young once some dumber than others he made a bad decision and has to deal with this for the rest of his life Some people think they feel fine and can drive if you can crash while you’re sober imagine when you’re drunk or have had even the tiniest amounts of alcohol…I saw the girls dad on the news and it broke my heart. They didn’t even get to say goodbye to their beautiful daughter. She didn’t even get to graduate and live her life. RIP giselle mendoza <3

      You're safer in heaven now and you're going to be able to take care of your family from up above..

      • I agree with you Natalie I personally don’t know any of them, but I have kids I do agree we were all young once and did stupid things REALLY stupid things you always think it’s never going to happen to me it’s never going to happen to me, but you just never know. Kids now days think it’s okay to be drinking and they think they feel fine and go drive and yeah some are lucky that nothing happens but there’s always that one that crashes or even kills someone. I don’t by any means think it’s fone to drink and drive cuz it’s not but it’s sad to see young kids in this kind of trouble and young and old people who lose their lives. I just hope he serves his time and when he’s out he goes to apologize to the family even if it won’t bring her back or at least have his family help Giselle’s family with the funeral…she was really young this is a sad sad story. Her family is heartbroken. Nobody should be able to get alcohol if they aren’t 21 they should always ask for ID and the people who give underage kids alcohol should know better.

        Rip princess…my condolences go out to her family and friends who are hurting right now…

        • “Nobody should be able to get alcohol if they aren’t 21 they should always ask for ID and the people who give underage kids alcohol should know better.”

          A good investigator will find out where the young man got his booze. He’s under-age. Someone bought it for him, or served him knowing he is under-age. Because he’s under-age, the contributing adult may also have to spend time incarcerated (well, I think that person should). That person was contributing to the delinquency of a minor. So, stay tuned.

          • Anyone can easily figure that a kid age 20 is going to have friends that are old enough to buy alcohol. Once again, blame it on the alcohol instead of the young man who made the choice to get into his car and drive drunk. In a perfect world, he wouldn’t have access and whoever gave it to him should be held accountable. He won’t tell and that won’t bring back Giselle.
            Sentences for crimes that hurt and kill people need to be stiffer.

      • I know drunk drivers who have hurt people and are out today because they have a good lawyer and, they still drink and drive today. If he has a good lawyer he will probly continue to drink and drive with no remorse.

  18. God exist in every aspect .parent should advise more them kids about alcohol and drugs.the problem here is that is the .the parents can do [removed] to them other wise are charge w child’s abuse.

    • Reply to Rose April 21 at 2:00 pm I said the same thing when I lost my daughter then a pastor told me this is the Devils world. God was there to hold her so she wasn’t scared. God didn’t cause the accident the devil inside of the driver did.

      • so true GOD is good all the time…..this is not our home the DEVIL is out to get you….
        those that are out drinking need to get hook up with a CHURCH get high
        on GOD there’s churches everywhere you just need to look
        don’t look at the beer signs that say the coldest beer in town ..beer on sale
        GOD IS FREE………..CHURCH IS FREE…..now he will turn to GOD cause he’s going to need him big time …prayers to both families

      • SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOST OF YOUR DAUGHTER
        YES I HAVE ONLY ONE DAUGHTER …..AND I WOULD BE LOST WITHOUT HER..
        I PRAY 24 HOURS A DAY
        GOD HEALS/LOVES/JOHN 3.16 EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ IT
        PEOPLE NEED TO GO TO CHURCH….. NOT PARTY…….
        SO SAD TO SEE THIS YOUNG GIRL LOSE HER LIFE IN HER SLEEP
        I PRAY THAT GOD COMFORTS HER FAMILY
        AS FAR AS THIS YOUNG MAN HE NEEDS ALOT OF PRAYERS
        I HOPE HE NEVER DRINKS AGAIN /HIS MOM NEEDS TO GO TALK TO
        THE GIRLS PARENTS AND TAKE HER SON WITH HER
        GOD WILL TAKE OVER FROM THERE….IF HE LIVES

  20. They should’ve gave that bail money to the girls family for burial expenses. I just think it’s unfair, they just gave him a chance to haul ass out of here, that’s not justice for her of her family. Rest in Peace Giselle

    • I agree, the whole thing sucks in every way. I’m sure he’ll get only a year in jail. The justice system needs an overhaul.

  21. Umm, apparently he lives down the street from the accident. What are the odds of someone tracking him down and confronting him?

    • Uh, pretty sure the court is already at work on it. Unless you’d be fine with your own family members being subjected to vigilantism, I wouldn’t advocate it on others.

      • not sure where you got the idea that i would call my family members or others to violence, i was merely stating what i read from other high emotional situations.

        • I wasn’t implying your family committing the violence. But calling for a suspect in a crime to be confronted by an individual outside of the court is essentially calling for vigilantism. I was saying that I wouldn’t advocate it, unless you are comfortable with the same being done to your family should a situation like this arise.

          By no means was it meant to be a hostile attack on you.

      • @Eric, that’s not what Sally said, how do you get that from what she said. You can’t control yourself from attacking any women who state there opinions.

    • Um yeah he lives across the street from the incident what are the odds that the guy and girl knew each other.

  22. He’s a 20 year old DRUNK boy! Where did he get the alcohol? Not only should he not have had bail! But I hope who gave him the alcohol feels like crap too!!! This 16 yr old girl is dead cuz one guy and one dumb choice! I know everyone has made dumb decisions but the AV should band alcohol for how many fatalities we get and most under the age of 18 do to drunk idiots!!!

    • Banning alcohol is not a viable solution. Check how that went in the 1900’s.

      When you ban an item, you create a black market. Black markets care about one thing, money in pocket. You’ll see more youths having access to alcohol if they ban it. Kind of like you’ve seen less youths with marijuana as it becomes increasingly more legal and subject to legal guidelines, rather than being moved on black markets.

      Parental and individual responsibility is the only solution.

    • They tried that, it was called prohibition back in the 20’s and 30’s. That gave rise to some of the most organized crime the country had seen to date.

    • Yes but some little liquor stores and gas station dont ask for id if u look the age u are the age in some of the stores eyesYeah and some stores dont ask for id either if u look the age they think you are the age

  23. Horrible! I think one thing that is going to affect the family is the burial expenses, how much will it cost? Most things that people hold like car washes ans stuff life that never get to the amount required. It sucks to see people and families be affected by stuff we never think it would happen to us such as death, accidents, sickness and we are not prepared for the financial impact it has on the families and individuals. For years now I have had multiple Aflac policies and come to get paid on all my claims I filed. Now more than ever I think people need benefits like Aflac because in today’s time no one has savings for unexpected events such as Giselle’s and to leave it up to charity to help with the expenses is kind of irresponsible.

    God Bless Giselle and her Family

  24. Prayers for/to Giselle, her loved ones and Roberto’s loved ones. I need more information before making a critical judgement. How drunk was he, was he sober enough to know better or was he senseless. WHO was he drinking with that let him drive if/when he was to stupid to know better. Did a bartender pour that alcohol and then leave him to his own impaired judgement? Is this kid here legally?

    • RIGHT ON! Who ever provided booze to the kid should face the same charges he does as an accessory to the crime!

  25. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family that has lost their beloved to such tragedy perpetrated by a selfish individual who thought they would be okay to get behind the wheel of a loaded weapon (SUV) and drive at a high rate of speed while being completely intoxicated!…And while this poor family is grieving this criminal is walking free set out on release from a $100,000 bail which means someone bonded him out with only $10,000….while this family is grieving their loss…the accused walks, I hope he shows up for his court date now that the courts have allowed him to basically have the freedom to run…what an injustice!…Is that what this poor girl’s life was worth!?…This is complete injustice and just goes to further prove how “Tough” we are on drunk drivers!…I have to question the person that would #1 pay for his release and #2 was he drinking alone that night or where there others he was gathered with that allowed him to get in his car knowing he was not capable of driving and let him go anyway??…I hope this family gets someone to step forward and help them….please contact a local chapter of MADD and seek their help to have an advocate help you…as hard as it will be…family needs to be present at all of his appearances in court especially tomorrow…let the judge and the D.A. hear about your loss as well as the community needs to see the damage this person has done…otherwise I’m afraid he will not get much of a punishment and the rate of repeat offenses when it comes to DUIs is high…my best wishes and condolences to this family.

  26. We keep preaching out to the people DRUNK DRIVING IS A CRIME! No one ever listens till they vomit a tragedy! I SAY GIVE HIM 100 years To life an let it be an example to the rest of the people who just don’t get it! Don’t care if his 20 or 50! Weres them drinking buddies that was with him an could have stopped him from driving! HOLD THEM RESPONSIBLE TOO!

  27. first of all his bills and s*** for somebody who just drove in to apartment complex and killed a 16 year old girl in his bail was only that much and was just able to bail out the same day that the date he killed somebody are you serious.He should have never been able to get bail. He should have not got to enjoy easter with his fam. She or her family didn’t het that choice to spend time on Easter with there daughter on Easter so why should he. This storie just hurts me

    • Though I am not happy with the fact that yes he was able to get out of jail, being able to do so is a basic tenant of our legal system. Remember innocent until proven guilty along with the right to bail in most cases.

        • You do understand that until a court finds him guilty or he gives a confession he is presumed innocent right? The very foundation of our legal system is based on that.

          I can wager that an attorney will also try to argue that the girl’s death could have been avoided had someone called 911. Had help arrived sooner, she might have received life saving treatment.

          • The belief is that she died instantly.Too bad you weren’t there to give everyone direction.SMH at your self righteous B.S.

          • @sikntired

            Where did I say it was right to use that defense? How was I being self righteous? I work in the legal field and that is how lawyers try to twist things. They will grab onto anything they think they can use. Spinning the evidence to make it work for them. And if the coroner’s report indicates that she didn’t die instantly, you can be sure a lawyer will try to use that to their benefit. Same if there are no 911 calls.

            BTW in some jurisdictions it is illegal NOT to call 911 or other emergency services or fail to offer aide in certain situations.

        • He may be guilty, but he still needs to go through the system and be proven guilty. In this case, I believe it will be pretty easy to persuade the jury of his crime. I’ve sat on the jury of a drunk driving case, none that cost anyone their life. It’s pretty easy to convict the defendant.

          I’m not defending Irena, just agreeing with her. One is innocent until proven guilty.

    • Enjoy?

      Are you senseless?

      He is what you call him

      He made a bad choice..

      You think a 20 year old boy who had everything going for him….said hmmmm let me go get drunk …kill an innocent girl and ruin my entire life?

      Let you be an innocent never made a wrong choice person and then judge

      • All that hate is going to burn you up. He’ll get his punishment, he’ll go to jail. Bail is a right given to the people, and is a very important right.

        I seriously doubt he at all enjoyed Easter by the way.

      • Yes this man did not enjoy easyer y should he have everyone k.owd not to get behind the wheel when drunk some people dont use there [removed] brains this man is human we all make mistakes but one like this he should not have a bail for crying out loud people he killed this girl .his bail was100’000 $ he was out on bail same night of the incident. That ashame dont you think and his parent’s bailec him out so what they show him it was ok

  28. Justice? No problem. They let this piece of trash out on bond. They will never see him again.

  29. I was there last night when the first deputy arrived on scene and it was absolutely surreal that this even happened I saw the little piece of crap when he was taken into custody by LASD. Found out there was a fatality when deputies started to tape off the area. Very sad situation another life lost in the A.V because some idiot decided to drink and drive. He should get murder and spend the rest of his life thinking about it and look at her pictures everyday may God bless the Family and know that she’s in Heaven now.

    • My heart goes out to giezzile and her loved one god bless them all and the bastard who ramed in her room [removed] y he couldn’t park his car he lived right across the street from this poor girl he should rot

  31. My prayers to the girls family! God called her to become another angel for him up there. But remember all we are all anger cuz we have kids but the young man will be judged n so will his mother in this situation. Let god judge him in time!

  32. A few things come to mind wth is someone doing driving 80 miles an hour,and not even stepping on the brakes! Come on!!!! I drive by there all the time, God bless the family and for the dui driver you.re a complete idiot that had no commen sense of what a life means to families!!!!!! Enjoy your time in the big house!!!! A question why wasn’t there barriers around that corner or any corner in palmdale!!!!

    • Granny….so you mean to tell me you believe the statement that he was going 80MpH and never hit the brakes?

      The same man who you won’t give a dollar to because you don’t believe he’s going to buy food with…..now he’s a credible source?

      Lord judging on the day you resurrected….. :'(

      • Who are you to judge me! I.m going according to what the news reports! Have you been by the crash site? It.s a very sad situation!

        • Judge you?

          What part of my statement lead you to believe I was judging you?

          I was asking you not to judge

          • I.m not judging anyone! I feel very sad for the girls family! Now this individual will have to live with himself and what he did for the rest of his time on earth! Everyone makes mistakes but don’t drink and drive!

      • Yes I was wondering about the accuracy of his statement. I saw this witness at about 11am Saturday morning crossing this very intersection when I was on my way home. It baffles me that he’s still awake and walking around at 3 in the morning on that very corner. I’m thinking he must be involved in drugs… So I’m not sure the 80 mph statement is very credible.

    • @Granny -What type of barriers are you suggesting? EVERY corner in Palmdale? What do you think that cost would be? And what happens when a car jumps the curb in the middle of the block and not the corner?
      Someone drove drunk. It’s not alcohol’s fault or the corner’s fault. It’s the fault of the person that drove drunk.

      • I agree that alcohol wasn’t at fault and barriers might have saved a life! But it all comes down to a young kid making a major mistake that will haunt him for the rest of his life !

  33. Public Lynching!!! This piece of trash doesn’t deserve to see the light of day again. But with our justice system he will probably get 6 years and only serve 40 percent of it smh and he will be out before his 24 bday doing the something

    • In the state of Florida he would get life. If you get one dying its 1 year probation 2 60 days jail time 5 years probation 3 one year jail time 75 years no driver license. Duo manslaughter 25 to life. No 40% serve time.

    • The stone you hold…Will one day be hitting your face….. Those that judge will get their judgment ;-)

      • None… does being self-righteous ever get to be too much of a burden, even for one so incredibly self-righteous as yourself?

  34. He should of been the one dead what a piece of [removed] I bet now his [removed] himself worried about jail they better charge him with murder I feel so bad for giselles family my condoleces go out to them mean while this mother [removed] needs to get what he deserves.

  38. My condolences to the family of this young girl. May God be with you and help you through this terrible time.

    I hope this young man is punished to the full extent of the law. The police need to find out who’s house he was at and charge them too!

    To the sheriffs….pull over all drivers at that hour!!!

    • Pray that you don’t ever make a bad decision that you will pay for the rest of your life….people like you have a stone on their hands ready because they’re perfect right?

      • There are mistakes and bad decisions and then there are life altering lapses of judgment. Yes we all make mistakes, but this was more then just your average “opps”

        The driver isn’t even old enough to be drinking.

        • The driver is a young man who had everything going for him….good kid….never in trouble and now his life is shuddered….because he made a mistake…

          No matter what the law gives him

          he will pay for the rest of his life…..he will have that girls death in his conscious

          Instead of judging and wishing him bad….wish for all those young men reflect upon this….

          • People in the AV are tired of this kind of non-sense. We see plenty of people who were given chances to turn their life around, but most never do. It get’s old. It’s not like he smoked some weed and was busted, it’s not like he got busted for underage drinking.

            HE KILLED AN INNOCENT PERSON.

            The family will never get their daughter back, but if this man (not a child anymore) is put away for life, his family can see him, he can still be married, he can still breathe air.

            People are not getting how serious drunk driving is, so it is about time we start throwing the book at them.

          • None… it sounds like you personally know the driver, but don’t you think finding another place to talk about what a wonderful young man he is would make some sense here? You ask people not to judge, but you seem to have very little empathy for the life that he took. I get it that you are practically Jesus reincarnated, and for that we are all very excited, but even God rested on the 7th day so maye you could give your tired schtick a rest and go read your Bible for a few minutes.

          • I never wished him bad. There is enough media out there that anyone with half a brain knows that drinking and driving is a very bad idea. He choose to do this. Nobody forced him to get behind the wheel of the car.

          • AV Folk

            I happen to know both families

            I stand with the mom that list her child whom I saw grow up and her life taken too soon

            I stand with the young man who’s bad choice has now destroyed his life…

            I know he must pay for what he did and to serve all others as a lesson…

            But I want people to understand that this destroyed both the life taken and the criminal…..her family will never get her back true….but his conscious might not let him live

      • @none, no one’s perfect yes, this isn’t a little mistake and you make it worse she’s dead, he’s not. Someone bailed him out, only hours after is arrest, he should have to stay. This tells me his family are enabling him. He’s 20, he’s driving a 2007 SUV, drinking$$$, and immediately gets bailed out, that’s his family fault.

    • Yea…pull everybody over…even people on their way to work…waste resources…that wont bring this girl back…punish the driver to the full extent of the law…losing a child cannot be compensated…this family has been destroyed…the young driver has done damage to himself as well…all I can do is emote sympathy…not condem and believe I can suggest any kind of absolution…this family needs…hopefully the community responds…

  39. Rest in Peace Miss Giselle. My prayers are for her family that have to forever live with this horrible tragedy.

  40. Wherever this 20 year old BOY got the booze needs to stand charges along side him!!! Seriously- until we get at the root, we’re just fixing the issue- not the problem.

    • Sadly, there is a high probability he got it from family. My daughter who is 16 tells me all the time that her friends brag about how their parents actually hand them beer or even harder stuff. Even if family didn’t give it to them, if it was in the house, it should have been kept locked up.

  42. The need to charge this guy with premeditated murder sonce im sure he knew the rish
    K of driving drunk hes gonna end up getting 3 years for kiiling a young girl …wow give this idiot life

  43. Her cousin is devastated for the familys loss may she rest in peace my heart goes out to her family

  44. Wow this is so sad to happy on Easter, my prayers go out to the family of the young girl who was killed !

  45. My Heart goes out to her family it’s just sad that she died in her sleep in her room cause he wanted to drink an drive to her family sorry for The lost an to him sorry For YOU being so dum that YOU not only hurt u but you killed a 16teen year old girl that you’re going to have to live with the rest of your life … . Sweet dreams to a young teen baby girl God called YOU home he needs More angels on HIS team sweet. Dreams to YOU baby girl to HER Mom don’t cry you’re baby is with God …

  47. No one called 911? The girl’s life might have been saved had someone acted quicker. Who knows how much time was wasted?

      • Reading the article, it clearly states that the officers were patrolling when they happened upon the scene. They were not responding to a 911 call. The sad thing that there is a fire station less then a 1/2 mile away. Paramedics could have been there in less then 3 minutes.

  48. Why is something that causes deaths legal yet certain plants that cure cancer banned.

    • Drinking and driving isn’t legal, nor are plants that cure cancer banned, but other than that you’re spot on!

    • I agree 100%! Why is that? What is going on in this world that makes people decide these stupid laws that actually harm us rather than help us? Shame on them!

  49. It is truly sad when a drunk driver is capable of killing someone asleep in their own bed.
    My heart goes out to this family.
    Unbelievable.