14-Year-Old Boy Charged With Intoxication Manslaughter
DENTON (CBSDFW.COM) - A 14-year-old Arlington boy has been charged with intoxication manslaughter after he stole his parents' car, crashed it, and killed his girlfriend Sunday morning, Denton police said.
Valeria Rodriguez, 14, was a passenger in the Chevrolet Trailblazer, when her boyfriend hit a guardrail on I-35 West in Denton. The boy's name was not released because he is a minor.
Rodriguez, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was thrown from the car and died. Officers said her boyfriend and another 16-year-old passenger smelled of alcohol and had several beers in the car with them.
Rodriguez's brother, however, said he doesn't blame them for her death.
"They didn't know what they were doing," said Antonio Rodriguez, 18.
Antonio said he discovered his sister had snuck out of the house when he returned home from a late night shift at work.
The family was searching for her when they learned she had died. Police said they were running away to Oklahoma.
"It feels like she's not gone. It feels like she'll come to us. But we know that's not true," said Laurie Rodriguez, 19, her sister.
Valeria was a student at Sam Houston High School in Arlington. Her family said she was known for being outgoing, funny and kind toward others.
Police said the two boys had minor injuries. The 16-year-old was released from custody, while the 14-year-old was booked and placed into a juvenile facility.
