Taken too soon: Parkland High mourns student's death by suspected intoxicated driver
The Parkland High School community is mourning the death of a 17-year-old student killed by a suspected intoxicated driver in a hit-and-run crash on the César Chávez Border Highway last week.
Anahi Karla Leanos, who was a day away from celebrating her 18th birthday, was a student at Parkland Early College High School and a member of the school's softball team, the Ysleta Independent School District said.
"A talented softball player and beloved friend, Anahi's passing has stunned and saddened our community," YISD said in a statement, adding that grief counseling is being offered to students at Parkland.
"We send our heartfelt wishes for comfort, peace, and strength to Anahi's family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time," the district said.
A GoFundMe page created by her family for funeral and legal expenses described Leanos as an amazing, outgoing beautiful young woman. "A loving person that got taken away from us way too soon."
The fundraising page has collected more than $16,000 in donations.
Funeral services for Anahi Leanos
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. with a rosary at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan.10, at Sunset Funeral Home Northeast, 4631 Hondo Pass Drive. A funeral Mass will take place at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 10000 Pheasant Road. A committal service will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park cemetery, 4848 Alps Drive.
El Paso teen killed after car breaks down on border highway
The crash occurred at 1:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, after a 2006 Nissan Altima driven by Leanos broke down in the eastbound lanes of the César Chávez Border Highway near Fonseca Drive close to Ascarate Park in the Lower Valley, El Paso police said.
Leanos pulled over and stopped in the left emergency lane, thinking her car had run out of gas, police said in a news release.
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While Leanos was waiting for help to arrive, a 2005 F-350 pickup allegedly driven by 18-year-old Ruger Garrett Clark was coming down the highway, allegedly swerving in the middle lane, police said.
The pickup then crashed into the back of the Nissan at a high speed. Leanos died at the scene, police said.
Police said that Clark checked on Leanos, allegedly grabbed some items from his vehicle and then left, police said in a news statement. The items taken were not disclosed.
Teen accused of intoxication manslaughter, leaving scene
El Paso police searching for the truck involved in the crash soon pulled Clark over on a traffic stop on Alameda Avenue near Yarbrough Drive, officials said.
Clark was covered in blood from several small cuts, smelled of alcohol and slurred when speaking to officers, Channel 14-KFOX/ Channel 4-KDBC reported, citing police reports.
Clark allegedly told police he had been in a fight at the Little Bit of Texas nightclub in the Upper Valley before changing his story several times, KFOX reported. Police noted his injuries were consistent with those in a crash. Witnesses had taken photos of the truck, which had pieces of Leanos' car stuck to its front.
Clark, who is a resident of the Lower Valley, was arrested on charges of intoxication manslaughter and collision involving death for allegedly leaving the scene of the fatal crash. He was treated at a hospital for minor injuries sustained in the crash.
El Paso County Jail records show Clark was booked into jail on Jan. 5 and released that same day on a $100,000 surety bond on the manslaughter case and a $75,000 surety bond on the collision charge. No lawyer is listed on his behalf.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Anahi Leanos: Parkland High mourns, suspected drunk driver arrested
