Police: Mother in fatal I-15 crash told troopers she used marijuana day before

Natalie Muriel Rodriguez, 36, was arrested early Sunday after her Chevrolet Tahoe veered onto a dirt shoulder, struck construction barrels and a concrete wall, and overturned on Interstate 15 between Jean and Sloan around 6:20 a.m., according to the Nevada Highway Patrol. Her 7-year-old daughter, identified by relatives as Aislinne Ramos, was ejected and died at the scene; her son and Rodriguez were hospitalized with minor injuries. Police said the girl was not wearing a seat belt.

According to an arrest report, Rodriguez told troopers she had used a marijuana vape pen the day before the crash and denied using methamphetamine or cocaine, though she "broke eye contact and looked away" when asked about those substances. She agreed to a blood draw at the hospital; results were not included in the report. Troopers noted Rodriguez was "oddly emotionless" at the scene, writing that it was unclear whether the demeanor stemmed from shock or impairment.

Rodriguez faces charges of DUI, reckless driving, and child abuse or neglect in Goodsprings Justice Court, with an initial appearance scheduled for Tuesday. Court records show she was cited in May for driving 30 to 40 mph over the speed limit, pleaded no contest, and was sentenced to traffic school, but failed to appear for a September status check. She is also due in Las Vegas Justice Court Monday for that case.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal