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Palmdale teen killed when suspected drunk driver crashes into house

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A 20-year-old man was arrested early Sunday after crashing his sports utility vehicle into a Palmdale apartment building, killing a 16-year-old girl while she slept, authorities said.

Roberto Rodriguez, of Palmdale, was booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, authorities said. Investigators believe the suspect was drunk at the time of the crash.

The incident occurred about 3:50 a.m. in the 1000 block of East Avenue R, said Deputy Collin Reddy of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

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A deputy was driving through the area and noticed a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder embedded in the apartment complex. Residents, who had detained the driver, told the deputy there could be someone in the room where the vehicle crashed.

Deputies pulled at the damaged wall but were unable to get inside, Reddy said. Los Angeles firefighters called to the scene were able to get into the room, where they found the victim.

The girl was pronounced dead at the scene.

Rodriguez was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries, according to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.

adolfo.flores@latimes.com

Twitter: @AdolfoFlores3

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