$25K bail set for mother accused in I-15 crash that killed 7-year-old

A Goodsprings judge set bail at $25,000 on Monday for Natalie Muriel Rodriguez, 34, who appeared remotely from the Clark County Detention Center in a wheelchair. Rodriguez is charged with driving under the influence resulting in death and two counts of child abuse or neglect stemming from an Oct. 4 crash on Interstate 15 between Jean and Sloan that killed her 7-year-old daughter, identified by relatives as Aislinne Ramos.

Prosecutor Michael Giles told Justice of the Peace Larry Shupe that blood tests showed Rodriguez had methamphetamine and marijuana delta-9 levels 10 times the old per se limit in her system. Giles requested $100,000 bail, citing a high likelihood of conviction, but public defender Jessica Smith-Peterson argued that amount would act as a detention order. She noted Rodriguez has no criminal record beyond a recent speeding ticket and has lived in Nevada less than four months.

"We are not trying to negate what has happened," Smith-Peterson said. "However, we are trying to ensure fairness, and we are trying to ensure that she does have the same opportunities to be out of custody, so that not only may she deal with her case, but she may also grieve." The attorney said Rodriguez has support from her boyfriend and mother, who were in the courtroom, and an active phone number for electronic monitoring.

According to a Nevada Highway Patrol arrest report, Rodriguez was driving a Chevrolet Tahoe northbound when she veered onto the dirt shoulder, struck two construction barrels and hit a concrete wall, causing the SUV to overturn. Aislinne was not wearing a seat belt and was found in the roadway; she died at the scene. Rodriguez and her son were hospitalized with minor injuries. Rodriguez denied using illegal drugs but "broke eye contact and looked away" when asked about methamphetamine or cocaine, the report stated.

Shupe set bail at $25,000 and ordered high-level electronic monitoring, regular drug testing and a prohibition on driving. Rodriguez is due back in court in December.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal