Tragedy Strikes: Teenager Charged with Intoxication Manslaughter After Fatal Crash
A teenager is in police custody after a devastating crash claimed the life of his front-seat passenger early Saturday morning in the Lower Valley. Nathan Rudy R., 18, has been charged with one count of intoxication manslaughter following the death of 19-year-old Jesus Manuel Ceniceros.
According to court documents, the accident occurred around 2:40 a.m. at the intersection of Marne Drive and Carlotta Drive. Police say Nathan Rudy R. was driving a 2012 Honda Civic at a high rate of speed south on Carlotta when the vehicle crashed into a rock wall, ignited in flames, and tragically killed Ceniceros.
While speaking with law enforcement, Nathan Rudy R. initially claimed that Ceniceros had been driving his car, but witnesses identified Nathan as the driver and Ceniceros as the passenger. Additionally, Nathan was found to have bruising and redness on his chest and collarbone, indicating that he had been in the driver’s seat and was wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.
A friend of the pair informed police that they had been drinking and that the friend was concerned about Nathan’s level of intoxication when he left the house. The friend followed them and witnessed the collision, ultimately pulling Ceniceros out of the car to perform CPR just as it began to catch fire. Police conducted a field sobriety check on Nathan, which he failed, and later confirmed his blood alcohol content with a breathalyzer test.
Nathan Rudy R. was subsequently booked into the El Paso County Detention Center on $150,000 bail. Tragically, the victim, Jesus Manuel Ceniceros, would have turned 20 years old just days after the incident. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover Ceniceros’ funeral expenses, managed by his mother.
This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of speeding and driving under the influence. Authorities have emphasized that speed and alcohol were the main contributing factors to this fatal crash. It is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can result from irresponsible decisions behind the wheel. This incident marks the fifth death in the area this year, compared to eight in the entire year of 2023.