On Tuesday, Oct. 8, a rock crashed through the windshield of a car, tragically taking the life of a 25-year-old woman who was driving on a highway in Antelope Valley, California.
Sarina Rodriguez, who had recently begun pursuing her dream of becoming a cosmetologist, died instantly from her injuries in what authorities are calling a senseless act of violence.
Rodriguez was driving westbound on State Route 138, just east of State Route 18 when the rock struck her vehicle. Her boyfriend, Franco Martinez, who was in the passenger seat, explained that the incident had happened suddenly. He attempted to take control of the car after the rock struck, but according to Martinez, he had less than a second to react, and the vehicle crashed.
First responders, including California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers and emergency personnel, arrived at the scene around 12:10 a.m. Despite their efforts, Rodriguez was pronounced dead. Martinez reported that the rock struck with such force that it collapsed Sarina’s airway. The impact led to her being unrecognizable.
The California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office are investigating whether someone intentionally hurled the rock or if it accidentally came loose from another vehicle. No suspects have emerged yet, but authorities are gathering evidence. This incident represents the third reported instance of a rock hitting a vehicle in the area since Oct. 6, 2024.
Rodriguez’s family is heartbroken by her death, calling it a tragic and senseless loss. To help with the funeral costs, her loved ones started a GoFundMe campaign. Her family remembered her as a beloved daughter, sister, and aunt who had just begun a journey toward a career in cosmetology. They shared stories of her love for beauty and her warm, caring nature, which left a lasting impact on everyone who knew her.
Authorities are now investigating whether Rodriguez’s death connects to other rock-throwing incidents in the area. Two days before her death, another driver reported a rock hitting their windshield, though no one suffered injuries in that case. The recurring incidents have prompted the California Highway Patrol’s Southern Division Major Crimes Unit to launch a more thorough investigation with assistance from the local community.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man along Sierra Highway after witnesses reported him throwing rocks at vehicles. However, officials clarified that there is no evidence linking the man to Rodriguez’s death at this time. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine if the incidents are related.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge the public to provide any information that may help solve this case. The California Highway Patrol is asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has knowledge of the rock-throwing incidents to contact them directly. They hope that someone from the community may provide the critical information needed to prevent further tragedies.