El Paso, TX – A 20-year-old woman was arrested after allegedly striking and killing a motorcyclist while driving more than 100 mph in a Ford Mustang following a friend’s 21st birthday celebration.
The Arrest
Marissa Arlene Dominguez, 20, was taken into custody on Sept. 11 and charged with manslaughter in the death of Alejandro Rodriguez, 48, according to court records. She was booked into the El Paso County Detention Center and later released the same day after posting a $100,000 bond.
The Fatal Crash
The crash happened at 2:28 a.m. on Aug. 31 along Interstate 10, Mile Marker 33 West. According to the El Paso Police Department, Rodriguez was traveling west on his 2024 Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle when Dominguez, driving a white 2024 Mustang, rear-ended him at high speed.
Rodriguez, who was wearing a helmet, was thrown several hundred feet and died at the scene.
Speed and Distraction
Crash data from Dominguez’s vehicle showed she was traveling at 118 mph and did not hit the brakes until after colliding with Rodriguez, as reported.
Investigators said Dominguez later admitted she had been looking down at her phone to pick a song when she struck Rodriguez, despite seeing him on the road ahead.
Alcohol Involvement
Dominguez also told police she had consumed several alcoholic drinks during the party, even though she is underage. Her on-site breath test recorded 0.047 and 0.046 BAC — below the legal limit of 0.08 for drivers over 21.
She reportedly said she felt confident to drive, noting her own father had been killed by a drunk driver, and that she would never want another family to suffer the same loss.
Charges
Dominguez faces one count of manslaughter. It remains unclear when her next court appearance will be scheduled.
Do you think her speeding and distraction should outweigh the fact her BAC was below the legal limit? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
