Southern California woman killed by rock smashing through windshield on highway identified

A woman who was killed by a rock that was thrown at her windshield on a Southern California highway was identified as the search for a suspect continues.

On Oct. 8, Sarina Rodriguez, 25, and her boyfriend were on their way home to Lancaster. They were driving on Highway 138, just east of Highway 18 in the Antelope Valley area at around 12:10 a.m.

Franko Martinez recalls the frantic moment he heard a popping sound and noticed Sarina, who was driving at the time, suddenly fall unconscious.

Thinking quickly, he immediately grabbed the steering wheel to stop the car. He then spotted a hole in their windshield.

Somewhere along the highway, a suspect had launched a rock toward their windshield which smashed through the glass, instantly killing Sarina.

After pulling over, Martinez called the authorities and, despite searching the area, no suspects were found.

At the moment the rock was launched, Martinez noted there was another vehicle passing them by in the opposite direction. 

“Before we got to the bend, a vehicle with headlights came and then [I heard] a pop noise,” he told KTLA’s Shelby Nelson.

It remains unclear where the rock was initially thrown from — whether it came from a passing vehicle or from someone on the side of the road. 

Just two days earlier on Oct. 6, another driver also reported being struck by a rock that smashed through their windshield, injuring two people. The incident happened in the same area and late at night at around 11:30 p.m.

On Thursday, Oct. 10, the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station told KTLA that a suspect, Alexander Veloz, was arrested for allegedly throwing rocks at traffic on the same morning Sarina was killed. 

However, investigators note it’s unclear whether he is related to either Sarina’s case or the Oct. 6 incident. He was also arrested near Avenue F and Sierra Highway which was located over 40 miles from where Sarina was targeted.

The woman’s family remains heartbroken as they remember a loving daughter and sister who brightened their days with her lively spirit.

“She was just so happy,” said Sylvia Perez, Sarina’s sister. “My sister was full of life.”

“She was a lot of joy,” said Danny Rodriguez, Sarina’s father.

Her friends and family are left with many unanswered questions. Most importantly, they’re hoping the suspect who is responsible for her death will be caught soon.

“I just want to see justice,” said Danny.

“She is something that we can never get back,” said George Rodriguez, Sarina’s brother. “I really hope they find this [suspect].”

Her family plans to honor her memory by placing a large wooden cross near the spot where she lost her life.

“Please inform the authorities of any suspicious activity in the area because it’s time to catch this person,” a loved one said. 

“Given these recurring incidents, the California Highway Patrol Southern Division Major Crimes Unit and the CHP Antelope Valley Area are actively investigating these incidents and are seeking assistance from the community,” detectives said.

Anyone with information on the case is urged to call the California Highway Patrol at 323-259-3200.