Giselle Mendoza - a victim of drunk driving in Palmdale, California

Giselle Mendoza

Giselle Mendoza died on April 20, 2014, at her apartment in Palmdale, California.

Her age is reported as either 16 or 17 years old.

Giselle was sleeping sometime after 3:30 a.m., when an SUV crashed into her apartment building, killing her as she lay in bed.

The vehicle went through two apartments in the building. A 14-year-old girl who lived in the adjoining apartment decided to sleep on the sofa and not in her bed or there may have been two deaths.

Neighbors said that the driver attempted to flee the scene but was detained by citizens until the Sheriff's Department took him into custody. The driver was Roberto Rodriguez, age 20, of Palmdale. He was transported to a hospital and treated for minor injuries that were sustained in the crash. He was charged with a DUI and vehicular manslaughter and then released on bail. 

Roberto Rodriguez

Giselle was a sophomore at Palmdale High School. 

Her family are devastated over her tragic and senseless death. She will be forever mourned.

Angels of God, pray for
Giselle

Friends describe Giselle as a pretty girl, who was always uptempo and happy. She liked to draw and sketch.

Giselle is survived by many loving friends and family members, including her father, Alberto.

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and gone the next.

God save us from the drunk and the doped up drivers. They strike us down and then run away like wolves. They are killing us, Father.

Pray that Giselle is in heaven. Pray that she is at peace and is with God. Amen.