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Loved ones mourn girl killed when alleged drunk driver crashed through bedroom

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The candlelight vigil was held around 8 p.m., Sunday, April 20, at the crash site, located in the 1000 block of East Avenue R in Palmdale. (Photo by JOHN MEZA)
The candlelight vigil was held around 8 p.m., Sunday, April 20, at the crash site, located in the 1000 block of East Avenue R in Palmdale. (Photo by JOHN MEZA)

PALMDALE – Close to 200 friends and family members gathered Sunday night to remember Giselle Mendoza, the 16-year-old Palmdale High School student killed in her sleep when an alleged drunk driver rammed his SUV through her bedroom wall early Easter morning.

Loved ones shared hugs, tears and Easter prayers around a photo collage of Giselle, propped up by flowers and lit candles.

(JOHN MEZA)
(JOHN MEZA)

Giselle was a happy person who liked to exercise, said her sister Yadira Mendoza, who remembered walking with Giselle at Pelona Vista Park just this past Wednesday.

“She meant everything [to me], she was my bigger sister,” Yadira said.

Father Alberto Mendoza cried as he spoke in Spanish about his devastation. He said his daughter was always going to be in his heart, and he was thankful that she apparently didn’t suffer before passing away in her sleep.

(JOHN MEZA)
(JOHN MEZA)

The candlelight vigil was held at the crash site around 8 p.m., Sunday, April 20, just minutes after alleged drunk driver Roberto Rodriguez bailed out of jail.

“It wasn’t my intention… I’m sorry,” Rodriguez told NBC Los Angeles, who caught up with the 20-year-old right after his release.

Witnesses estimated Rodriguez was going about 80 miles per hour when he apparently lost control of his Nissan Pathfinder and crashed through Mendoza’s bedroom wall early Sunday morning.

Around 3:50 a.m., a Palmdale Sheriff’s deputy on patrol noticed the sports utility vehicle embedded into the wall of the apartment building, in the 1000 block of East Avenue R. Witnesses at the scene had already detained Rodriguez, sheriff’s official said. Read more details on the crash here.

Roberto Rodriguez was released around 7:49 p.m., Sunday, April 20, after posting bond, sheriff’s officials said.
Roberto Rodriguez was released around 7:49 p.m., Sunday, April 20, after posting bond, sheriff’s officials said.

Various media outlets have reported that Rodriguez was twice the legal limit at the time of the crash. He was arrested around 4:40 a.m. Sunday for driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter, with bail set at $100,000 bail.

Rodriguez was released that same day, around 7:49 p.m., after posting bond, sheriff’s officials said.

He is scheduled to appear 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.

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Previous related story: Suspected drunk driver crashes SUV into Palmdale apartment, 16-year-old girl killed

60 comments for "Loved ones mourn girl killed when alleged drunk driver crashed through bedroom"

  1. I miss her so much. COme back gissele. I miss you soooo much. RIP . ily babygirl . <3

  2. I new her she was so sweet she was like a big sis cause she would always help me in pain now the pain that i still have is hard to see that there releasing him thats BS he deserves to be punished!!!! He stays at home in a warm bed and with his family and wat Giselle has to lay in a wooden coffin in a freezer alone and sad.Damn really first Giselle then Jocolyne all my friends are leaving me gosh y!! God bless the mendoza family and palenscia family (sorry if i mispelled tgere last name.
    R.I.P GISELLE MENDOZA
    R.I.P JOCOLYNE PALESNCIA
    U GIRLS WILL BE MISSED ♥ ♥

  3. my homie use to live in that building I use to see her all the time this is so sad I hope the judge throw the book at him

    • Throw a book.? Nah he she still be in jail he killed my closet friend and he was drunk why would they let him out? He deserves to stay in. People loved her so much. He didn’t care he knew what he was doing. He got drunk thats his fault.

  4. I am outraged!! Why has it been 9 days, and no arraignment, no action from the DA? This is crazy and action needs to be taken NOW! Hopefully this scum bag hasn’t fled some where to avoid facing his charges. Even if alcohol was not involved, he still killed an innocent girl. He does NOT deserve to be free to do as he pleases! Let’s make some noise on this to the DA!

    • ukw what don’t judge everyone drinks and drive in the av and still get away everyone has done it and still is doing it don’t be hypercritical on this he mad a big mistake but everyone still drive drunk out here I’ve seen this personally so don’t be quick to judge everyone should be thrown a book i’ve gone to the court house and all he people are there for are dui’s everyone should be prosecuted to the fullest extend in the court of law im sorry that he did a big mistake in his life but he’s going to live with this no matter what so do not be so quick to judge somebody when everyone does this so everyone think twice before getting on the steering wheel of motor vehicle ok!!!!! this should be an example to all if you’re drinking either get a cab or walk home or where ever your destination is always think twice that’s my saying to these younger/older people that are driving ok!!!!! enough said…….

      • jose gomez…not enough said…YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU DON’T JUDGE BY SAYING EVERYONE IN THE AV DRINKS AND DRIVES!! I drink and do NOT drive, so don’t say everyone does it! Yes he made a BIG mistake by drinking, but after that mistake, he decided to drive and that is NOT a mistake. That’s an intentional act, and he KILLED an innocent girl sleeping in her own bed. He went into her room and killed her. That is not a mistake. I am not being “hypercritical” as you stated. I was outraged that the DA didn’t act on this sooner. I haven’t judged him, but you know what? I hope to be called for jury duty when a jury of his peers decides his guilt. Get over yourself and actually read what I previously wrote before spewing your [removed]. RIP Giselle…

  5. This girl’s family is not only suffering with the horrific death of their child. They are also dealing with not having a place to live, as their apartment was destroyed. Their lives have been destroyed! I understand as a parent that you have to protect & defend your child. Gisele died at the scene, so he is responsible for taking her life, and released hours later, does anyone think if he’d killed her in any other manner, he’d be out on bail? He was under the legal age to purchase or consume alcohol and twice over the limit. But he is out! She’s died, both families devastated, except his family, can hold him, kiss him,talk to him, Her family cannot! We have all made “mistakes” if you want to call it that. This is not a mistake it is Vehicular Homicide! As he is sitting at home, with his family, she is lying dead, alone in cold place waiting to be buried. My heart goes out to her family, who in the days ahead must face the worst most unbelievable pain ever, burying their daughter. The other family can worry about getting an attorney to represent their son.

  6. I drive by there everyday, I live 10 block away from the apartment building. It is very heartbreaking to drive by the apt , and all I hope is for people to understand the danger of drinking and driving. Innocent people die,families are destroyed/devastated. This wasn’t supposed to happen. A teenage’s girl life was cut short because someone didn’t do the right thing. ALCOHOL KILLS!!!

  7. I went by the scene today :( … It broke my heart … Is heartbreaking that this young lady died this way .. It’s also sad that this young men made a horrible decision … I don’t want to judge I’m not god … But because of l his bad choices 2 families are destroyed now… Please don’t drink in drive folks this can happen to anyone .. Let’s make better choices

  8. Can you believe people actually want to help the guy that killed her and ask to pray for him and his family wtf

  9. Anyone who defends this guy for what he did should be ashamed of themselves. If he thinks he was man enough to drink and drive he should also be man enough to pay the consequences.

  10. Bull …. So he is sorry yea whatever I don’t see him asking to stay in jail ….. No you’r kids my kid’s your grand kids don’t get to make mistakes Is not acceptable… Giselle’s Family will never get to see her again She will not get to do anything with her life just because oooh this poor kid made a mistake nooooo the fact is that she’s gone and nothing will bring her back and everyone who thinks of feels sorry for this kid is out of their mind you may cast bible quotes all you want the truth is looking for an excuse to justified and act like this just like saying ok since he’s a kid no he is not a kid he is an Adult who KILLED A 16 year old in her sleep… he was sweet kid Asama bin laden was too …. Giselle’s family doesn’t deserve to be in this situation He new what he was doing because the consequences are advertise everywhere in school on tv we have constant check points…. This kind of Stupidity is something that happens constantly .. so no there is no excuse when you risk a life that does not belong to you that makes you the most horrible human and yes he deserve the worst… because he can even man up and has all his family members / friends making excuses … Giselle was safe at home sleeping only to wake up to this massive truck crushing her small body imagine the pain and her mom and dad having to walk back into their apartment having to deal with 16 year old funeral 16 year old who was sleeping at home safe there’s no excuse he does not have an excuse he KILLED A CHILD….. and everyone needs to accept that no is just not going it can happen again because is just a not acceptable if your going to pull one then accept that you’re attempting murder and you are a Killer and people are allowed to judge you’re actions and yes you are a shit… so decide all you kids and people out there trying to justify his actions bull bull no one no one has the right to risk a life just for pleasure I don’t care who is giving you an example what about Giselle example go ask Giselle’s parents to show you their daughters poor body and you then make an excuse

  12. Where did he get the alcohol and who supplied it? Too many young people drinking and using drugs, then getting behind the wheel.

    • I think it would be very reveling to find out where he was drinking and who got him the booze.

  13. ALL drunk drivers should go to jail for MURDER just like Tommie Lee Cole did — it is MURDER to drive a car when drunk or high …

  14. Folks, this story has made it’s way to CNN and MSNBC and now people across the country are as outraged as we are that this punk is on the streets already… Let’s use this opportunity to DO SOMETHING POSITIVE with this tragedy! I propose everyone start sending emails and letters to our state Rep Steve Knight (http://lcmspubcontact.lc.ca.gov/PublicLCMS/ContactPopup.php?district=SD21&inframe=Y&iframe=true&width=650&height=650&amp;) and propose legislation to make laws that anyone that provides alcohol to a minor who takes another person’s life (intentionally OR unintentionally) MUST stand trial for the SAME CHARGES as an “accessory to the crime”. Seriously, folks… we can’t let this child get away with murder (because he made a choice to drink and a choice to drive= murder in my book).

  17. Wow the worse part is that he’s free. May god do his will and he should pay for Many reasons 1. Speeding 2. Drinking alcohol underage 3. Death. Why doesn’t california have the death penalty. I dont feel sorry for him because he doesnt have moral. How many times days years will a idiot keep doing this of killing inocents. :-(. Beatiful young girl taken away from her dreams.

    • You know I feel for both family’s and you can’t Jude this boy he made a terrible mistake but he does have morals and I know this I’ve known this boy since he was 8 yrs old , I feel for the family who lost their daughter and it’s not right but don’t Jude him like that he’s honestly a good man spite this horrible mistake he has done

      • Good man? Horrible mistake?

        I’ll bet you $20 bucks you wouldn’t say that if it was your sister or daughter that got killed.

        He needs to go to prison and have a couple very large and mean cellmates named “Bubba” and “Thumper”….

        • He’s family to me so yes I will defend him regardless I’m not justifying what he did and I’m not saying what he has done is right because it isn’t, and who ever let him drink and drive that was smart or safe either, this man has never been in trouble with the law before hasn’t had encounters with the law.

          • Please learn how to write and have a proper argument because this only shows what type of family he comes from, everyone who has been defending this garbage and claim to be family with this trash are a bunch of illiterate people.

          • Wait wait wait… did you say “who ever let him drink or drive” someone didnt turn the car on and buckle him in… he did that one his own!! I am sorry for your hurt and sadness because of your relation to him… but a mistake is when you do something on accident… knowing you have drank (underage by the way) knowing you got in the car, knowing you started the car, knowing you drove while intoxicated, knowing you were going way above the speed limit and crashing into an innocent families home is not a mistake… that is a CHOICE… and him only having this one encounter with the law.. it only takes one time… and for him.. apparently it only took this one time. He didn’t make a mistake here… he made a choice.. and his choice KILLED an innocent girl and disrupted an entire family and community. I have zero sympathy for him.. he belongs in jail.. where he will still have contact to his family.. still have food.. still have a warm place to sleep. the victim wasn’t so lucky.

      • I’m sorry but I have no sympathy for this kid. Anyone who has morals knows that persons under 21 years of age are prohibited by law from consuming alcohol! If this kid had any morals at all, he shouldn’t have been drinking. Not only did he take someone’s life but he was also under age and they let him out on $100,000 bail? The person or persons who contributed to his drinking and then let him drive away should also be held accountable! My prayers to Giselle, may she rest in peace and my prayers to the family.

        • Actually I agree with his family member. You guys would defend your family also. What he did wasn’t right and he’s gonna pau for that. I’m a teenager but even I know that there are a bunch of parents who drive after a couple of drinks. There only lucky to make it home safe. And there are also teens who did this. I think its funny because parents let their kids drink. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. And I’m sure people who are commenting on this acting like their so innocent and heartbroken from this has drove after a few drinks. You should never take that risk no matter what. I had class with him, he was a really smart and quiet kid. It can happen to anyone who makes the mistake. So for all of you insulting his family, grow up. Pray for both families and take this as a lesson learned for even yourself or whoever you knows who let’s their kids drink or the pmes who drink and drive as well

          • First, I would love my child unconditionally so by me saying this doesn’t mean i would not love my child. but really?? okay so… what if your child broke into a home and killed a family? would you protect your child then? sure it sounds worse right? but what is the overall ending to the story? your child killed someone. now this boy here… he chose to drive intoxicated.. speeding well over the limit and crashed into an innocent families home killing a child asleep in her bed. so the end of the story. he killed someone. so where does this whole “defend your child” end?? sure he didnt kill her with a gun.. but he killed her with a vehicle! I will teach my children about consequences, discipline, and THE LAW…. and if they still chose to break the law.. and they kill someone while they are at it… and they go to jail… you better believe I WILL NOT be bailing them out… that is a consequence of THEIR actions… i will always love them.. but they made the choice… and when you hit 20 years old.. you know what those choices are and you know what those consequences are.. you are done parenting at that point.. he should have known better and probably did know better.. but a choice is a choice.

      • Morals?!?! Really?!?!? People with morals and respect for themselves and human life would think twice before knowing their actions can hurt someone else. And if he was such a good boy why was he out drinking and getting high on Easter on a family holiday. Where were his so called good parents at? Again you people sound really stupid! Instead of defending this trash why don’t you and your little pathetic family go and raise money for this poor girls family so they could be able to afford a proper burial.

      • I’m a teenager and I think its pretty funny how everyone is trying to bash him and act innocent when parents let their kids drink! All my friends, everyone I know, are all underaged drinkers and guess who usually supplies the drinks? Them. So for you guys to come on here and bash him, you guys are probably no different. And most of the parents I know drive after a few drinks because they think they’ve sobered up enough. So really parents your leading the example. Everyone probably has done what he has done, you guys were just lucky to make it home safe. Its not right to bash his family member for defending him. I believe what he did wasn’t right but I also believe that no one on here is innocent either. I pray for both families and pray that he feels remorse. I had a class with him at PHS, he was really smart and really quiet. He’s made a mistake, he will pay for it so quit your whining and bad wishes upon his life. Bad luck towards another person only gives bad luck to yourself. May she rest in peace and may he pay the concequences. I’m 17 and eveni know when to grow up. Learn ladies.

        • That is a very good point about parents leading by example. My daughter is 16 and she says the same thing about many of her friends.

          Yes, it is legal for anyone over the age of 21 to drink, but if you have kids, consider the message you are sending to them. And if you are getting drunk in front of your kids, don’t be surprised when they do the same.

      • mistake??????? eror es cuando llevas la fruta equivocadaa tu casa, error cuando llegas a la casa equivocada, error cuando escrives una letra por otra, error cuando mandas un mensaje a la pesona equivocada, lo que el hizo fue una estupidez un asesinato y deberia estar en la carcel de por vida, si fuera buen muchacho no hubiera tomado y mucho menos manejar a alta velocidad borracho, error fue lo que acabas de escribir tu, error es que lo quieras defender, eso es un error, aprende a diferenciar las cosas

        • Maybe mistake wasn’t the best word, because this wasn’t a mistake, this was a horrible decision and a huge lapse in judgement. But you would be in error. Because you are not interpreting what she wrote correctly. She is not defending him. I believe she knows the difference. She makes a lot of sense. I agree with her. May she rest in peace and may he pay the consequences to the fullest extent of the law. This could happen to any of us unfortunately. We could be his family or her family. The world and life work in a weird way. All we can do is let God do his thing and learn from the mistakes of others the best we can.

          • si ella descansa en paz,y por lo visto el que la mato tambien, si deveras fuera buen muchacho deveria aseptar lom que hizo y su familia deveria dejarlo en la carcel y darle ese dinero a la mama de la nina, porque no nadamas es la pena y dolor de perder a su hija, es de que se tiene que gastar mucho dinero para darle sepultura, dinero

          • dinero que la mama no tiene, simpatia por un asesino es dificil tener, el escogio tomar, el escogio manejar borracho y ahora que ve que no tiene ninguna consecuencia para el, que su familia lo apoya en que aga estupidezes, va a seguir asiendolo

  18. I am a 46 year old mother of 2 boy, age 19 and 27. I also have three grandsons. The thought of this happening to me always haunts me. And I know that no matter how much I educate my boys or my grandsons, this could happen to my family. No one wins here. This 20 year old was not even old enough to purchase alcohol and again, we have to go after those who contribute to underage drinking. This young boys life is destroyed. A young girl is dead. And in the end two families are mourning over such a tragic event. My boys are not bad kids. They do not gang bang, they do not hurt people, but to let my guard down and think this can’t happen to me would be a ridiculous thought. I don’t know much about his young boy. I don’t know if this is his first DUI or if he has ever been in trouble with the law before but this is what MOST boys go through at this age, drinking and partying. Sadly, his decision caused a tragic death of a beautiful young girl. A father and mother did not deserve to lose their daughter and a mother did not deserve to lose her son to prison, in which, even though he bailed out, he will end up in. I would die if my boys had to ever serve a day in jail. After reading this story, I told my 19 year old son that if he ever was in a situation where he was so drunk that he could not drive home, that he could call me. I would not yell at him, nor would I harass him about his drinking but that I would just want to make sure that he got home safe and that he did not kill an innocent person. Will he? I don’t know but I want him to know that he could call me. Parents, do your best to educate your young and older children. Always let them know they can call on you for transportation, at any hour of the night. Parents, your kids are doing it. Mind are doing it. We may as well let them know that we will ALWAYS be there for them by driving them home safely. Young kids, please do your best not to drink. But if you have to, please call someone to pick you up. We should not be so quick to judge this young boy and a young boy he is. Instead, we should be available to offer support to both families – it does no good to attack. I am sure this young guy, now that he is sober, is living with HORRIBLE regret. Always keep in mind that one day you too can face something like this BUT it is my hope no one ever does. At this point, dig DEEP into your pocket book and sacrifice what money you can to help this family bury their precious daughter. Don’t dwell on what this young guy did – the courts will deal with him. Let’s all pull together to make sure this father and mother can give their daughter a decent burial. To the family: I am terribly sorry for your loss. And though no words will bring you comfort at this time, it is my hope that you will find peace and comfort.

    • Seal beach, it’s nice to see at least one person not ganging up on the poor kid cuz her family is devasted because of their daughter at the same time his family is going through so much too. Everyone’s so quick to start judging when we don’t know if this was even maybe the first time he was drinking or if he ever went out or whatever. I feel bad for both because they’re both young.

    • Well said. I totally agree. I know nothing of this boy, but I work with teenagers everyday. We all know they make bad choices, especially at this age. By no means am I excusing what he has done, but, I do have to feel for him. I cannot imagine what Giselle’s family is going through and I feel so badly for them. This young man has to live what he has done the rest of his life. We all make mistakes.

    • I love this. Finally someone understands. Thank you for your kind words for both families!

    • Well said. It’s sad how everyone is attacking the young boy. Yes he made a wrong decision, and there’s no going back but all of us, at some point make wrong decision and have to live with the consequences. People please stop judging and start praying for both families as they are both hurting. It’s easier said than to be done. My prayers to both families. May God given them the strength and guidance to move on.

    • It is a horrible and tragic situation for both families. A horrible decision that lead to a horrible conclusion that could’ve been avoided. What’s done is done and we don’t know why some things happen the way that they do. I’ve seen enough death in my family to understand that you will never know why. But I do believe in consequences. And I do believe he needs to learn the graveness of his poor decision. May she rest in peace, poor girl, so young. And may her family one day find peace as well.

  20. Give him 100 years just like the other criminals! After all he’s now a criminal! He killed an innocent girl who’s life was just starting!ROBERTO RODRIGUES, your life just started the WRONG WAY at age 20! Good luck buddy cuss I’m sure you knew right from wrong!

  21. I think I saw this kid before. I believe he works at the Red Robin at the mall. Our prayers are with the family and their daughter. I would say unbelievable but this keeps happening over and over. When is alcohol going to become a schedule 1 substance and be illegal period?

    • Eh, that would be 1920-1933. We tried that and the number of tragedies and death was even greater than this terrible one.

  22. Released after posting bond the same day! What part of that does the system not see as WRONG!?!?! You didn’t just have a car accident due to your stupidity….YOU took a young girl’s life! She was in her home, in her bed – where she should’ve been SAFE! YOU made the decision to drink before you had “1 too many” (twice the legal limit – really?!?!?).

    And now you get “manslaughter” charges?!?! That young lady never gets to grow up….become a wife, a mother….!!

    I am disgusted with a broken system….and saddened for the family. Prayers to her family.

    • It is horrible but I also know that it can happen to any of us. If can be your cousin tomorrow that will drink and kill someone. Never think that something like this won’t happen to you and your family. Instead, let others know on your FB page that if they are ever in a situation where they are drinking, that you will drive them home. Let’s pull together to try to save lives. Be a designated driver because this will NOT be the last time something like this will happen.

      • Yes, it could be our relative, BUT they too should pay. Being related to us, does not justify their crime. Make them pay.