Brandeis student injured in crash taken off life support

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Brandeis student dies from injuries after Loop 1604 crash

Reported by: Jozannah Quintanilla

Email: JozannahQuintanilla@woaitv.com

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Published: 2/20 12:11 pm

Updated: 2/20 4:26 pm

SAN ANTONIO -- A Brandeis High School student who was injured in a crash along Loop 1604 Tuesday has been taken off of life support.

Lorraine Efron, who is an attorney for the family of 16-year-old Gina Rodriguez, told News 4 the following:

"Gina was removed from life support in the middle of the night. The family is by her side at University Hospital."

Efron confirmed this means Rodriguez is currently breathing on her own and has not passed away.

Rodriguez was one of four Brandeis students who were in a Mitsubishi Lancer that collided with a truck on the access road of Loop 1604 on the Northwest Side around 11:45 a.m. Tuesday.

All four were taken to University Hospital. One of the students, 17-year-old Gabriela Lerma, died from her injuries. The driver, 19-year-old Antonio Flores and his front seat passenger, 18-year-old Monique Castaneda, are in the stable condition.

Police continue to investigate whether the driver was drag racing.

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of News 4 WOAI (WOAI.com)

SLC13 - 3/6/2013 5:35 PM

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210bro, there are worse children in the community. PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES. Get off your high horse. You're not holier than though, especially talking about people like that. It's a tragedy and he's gonna have to live with it on his conscience for the rest of his life, and deal with the charges he will face. His parents are good hard working people, and teenagers will do as they please. We all know that from experience.

Maggie Ozuna - 2/21/2013 11:57 PM

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I am utterly dumbfounded by all these postings as a result of this tragic accident. Although I'm sure everyones opinions and thoughts posted are well intended, I do not think this venue is quite appropriate to voice your opinions. The focus is two young lives were violently ripped away from their families and friends. All their loved ones lives are forever changed. I can guarantee you their families and friends are reading everything posted related to this tragic accident looking for answers....Please be respectful and sensative in what is written of this horrific accident it can be hurtful and insensitive to family and friends in morning. Rest in Peace beautiful Gabby and Gina.-Forever Young.

ericalee - 2/21/2013 10:59 PM

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Omg a young life was lost who cares about being sued !! There isn't any amount of money thats going to change anything or make it it better !!

bonbon - 2/21/2013 3:58 PM

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This is so sad that lives were lost and my heart goes out to all the families. I have a teenage son who drives. He is a good kid but we are not with our children 24/7. Now I have restricted him from allowing anyone rides to school or to lunch. If they don't have their own car then they should not be leaving campus. If anything were to happen to anyone regardless who's fault it was the legal owner of the vehicle becomes a target to be sued. Again I am sadden by this tragedy and nothing can bring back these kids. It's unfortunate that this happened and it could happen to anyone. San Antonio has lots of drivers young and old that don't follow traffic rules. I see constant texting and not only from young kids.

Metal70s - 2/21/2013 11:16 AM

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TeaAm, I'm thinking a closed campus, at lunch, will make no difference, these young dangerous drivers will still continue to wreak havoc, before/after school. I experience close-calls/near misses, at their hands, all too often, all across the city. We all, as drivers, do. Maybe it's time for the DA o really hammer some peoples (shrugs).

TeaAm - 2/21/2013 10:27 AM

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Ban off campus lunch-outings, ban all all teen drivers, get the govenment involved. No different than having government dictate children's lunheons for obesity, right? Lets consider all of the following: stop the killing by holding school officials responsible, charging all w/ vehicular manslaughter both the teen & their parents responsible for any deaths...blah, blah. Sound familiar? Lets see the Liberal establishment & their rant go into action now..mmm

usesomecents - 2/20/2013 11:05 PM

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It's so sad that a moment of a bad decision and choice led to this. This is something that all teenagers can learn from. No one is invincible, including teenagers, although they think so. It was a bad choice to drive like crazy. Lives were forever snuffed out, and those who are left behind will forever have to live with their bad choice. My sympathies go out to all involved and their families. Parents, use this sad event to talk to your children about the choices they make and the consequences, hopefully it will make a difference the next time your teen gets behind the wheel of a vechicle

Lilly Langtry - 2/20/2013 10:25 PM

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@satxteacher, thank you for the update. It would be nice if all the local news organizations would get their info correct and keep it updated. I've heard on the radio and read elsewhere that the young lady had died. I guess assumption from "taken off life support" is the culprit for the misunderstanding, because most times, death immediately follows. I shall pray for her full recovery, because if she's still fighting for her life, there's still hope.

satxteacher - 2/20/2013 9:17 PM

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@cherrysprite and @ satoday. She did not pass a way. She was taken off life support because of a traumatic brain injury but is breathing on her own. She is most likely "brain dead" so if she survives her quality of life would be severely impacted.