A Hatch man was arrested Wednesday evening and charged with illegally selling beer to three teens who were involved in a fatal crash that killed two people.
According to a criminal complaint, Doña Ana County Sheriff’s investigators have charged Alfredo Alaniz, 65, with unlawful sale of alcoholic beverages, selling or giving alcohol to a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. All charges are fourth-degree felonies.
Alaniz was taken into custody at his home Wednesday night in the 600 block of Hayes Street in Hatch.
Investigators say a 13-year-old boy, who was involved in the fatal crash that killed his cousin and another 32-year-old woman, bought about 8 cans of Budweiser beer from Alaniz for $10 out of a makeshift store that Alaniz reportedly runs out of his home.
The boy was with Vanessa Rodriguez, 16, and his cousin, Sonia Rodriguez, 16, Tuesday before the 2003 GMC truck Vanessa Rodriguez was driving swerved into oncoming traffic near the intersection of Canal Road and Castañeda Road in Hatch.
The truck collided with a 2002 Hyundai Sonata, driven by 32-year-old Elida Garcia who was killed in the crash. Sonia Rodriguez, who is not related to Vanessa Rodriguez, also died.
Vanessa Rodriguez is charged with negligent child abuse resulting in death, vehicular homicide, great bodily harm by vehicle, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, driving without a license and minor in possession of alcohol. Additional charges of DWI are pending.
The charge of negligent child abuse resulting in death provides that Rodriguez can be tried as an adult.
Another passenger in Garcia’s vehicle, 50-year-old Maria Granados, was transported to an El Paso-area hospital from injuries she sustained in the crash.
Deputies at the scene reported smelling an odor of alcohol on Vanessa. A blood sample was taken at the scene of the crash, which will determine whether additional DWI charges will be filed.
Vanessa Rodriguez remains at the Doña Ana County Juvenile Detention Center, where she is being held without bond.
Alaniz is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond.
Information from Dona Ana County