Mother demands justice a year after son was killed by alleged meth-impaired driver

Woman pushes for justice for son killed in crash

Mark Rosales was killed in a hit-and-run crash involving a driver who was allegedly on meth. Mark's grieving mother is leading the charge on justice for her son.

LOS ANGELES - It’s been nearly a year since 18-year-old Mark Rosales was killed while walking with a friend in San Bernardino — allegedly struck by a driver under the influence of meth. His mother, Angelina Rosales, is still fighting for justice as no criminal charges have been filed. 

What they're saying:

"My family hasn't been able to grieve my son the way we should be, because I'm having to fight with them, hold them accountable to do their job," Angelina Rosales told FOX 11.

According to the Rosales family, officers with the San Bernardino Police Department failed to conduct a field sobriety test at the scene — a critical step that may have compromised the case. Two hours later, the driver, who never left the scene, took a blood test which showed high levels of meth in her system. 

Despite those results, the driver has not been charged with a felony.

Family seeks justice for deadly DUI case

The Rosales family is speaking out after a DUI crash -- the driver allegedly testing positive for meth -- ended up killing their son. At last check, no criminal charges have been announced in connection to Mark Rosales' death.

"What the police did wrong was they did not conduct the field sobrieties that were necessary. Their investigation was done very poorly," Rosales said. "In the police report, they do refer to signs of her being under the influence — rocking back and forth — and they noted that as possibly being drug-related."

Although officers eventually drew blood — which tested positive for meth — the District Attorney’s Office has not moved forward with charges. That inaction has drawn criticism from advocates like retired LAPD Detective Moses Castillo, who now works as a victims’ advocate. He’s been urging the DA to at least file misdemeanor charges.

"It’s very disappointing, especially when we’re dealing with loss of life," Castillo said. "As detectives, investigators, and law enforcement, it is our job to do things thoroughly. A misdemeanor charge here would send a message that if she does this again and someone dies, she could be facing murder charges and serious prison time. That accountability matters."

Records show the driver has a prior criminal history involving drug use and possession for sale. The family is asking the San Bernardino County DA's Office to at the very least file a misdemeanor charge so that it will go on the driver's record.

"I'm asking for the DA to do their job. I am asking for the DA to bring justice for my son and for our family to get, you know, I mean, this is never gonna give us closure. But the fact that my son was a good-hearted young man. He had a bright future ahead of him. He had goals, and he got his life taken away by somebody that had no value for life," Rosales added. 

With the one-year anniversary approaching on July 21, the Rosales family is calling on the San Bernardino District Attorney to act before the statute of limitations runs out. FOX 11 reached out to the DA's office for comment but has not heard back.