Police report reveals 20-day arrest timeline in East El Paso I-10 crash that killed teen

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Police documents reveal a timeline showing the arrest of the driver who was allegedly driving drunk on I-10 in East El Paso and caused a crash that killed a 15-year-old girl.

On Friday, April 10, 22-year-old Andrea Fernanda Soria was booked into the El Paso County Downtown Jail and charged with intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle in connection with the crash that killed Sophia Ramirez almost a month earlier, on the night of March 17.

According to the arrest report, Soria admitted to investigators that she had been drinking before the crash and showed signs of intoxication, but was arrested almost three weeks after the crash.

Soria told investigators she had been drinking first at a pool party in East El Paso and then at Pablo McIntyers, a sports bar in Central El Paso.

Furthermore, in the report, the investigator notes that Soria showed signs of intoxication, such as alcohol on her breath, as well as officers observing clues of intoxication after having her do a field sobriety test.

Soria was taken to the hospital to get checked out and after she was cleared, was taken to the El Paso Police Department headquarters, where she was interviewed.

However, the report states that Soria was not arrested as authorities waited for the condition of the 15-year-old and for the results of the blood test.

On April 7, 20 days after the crash, investigators got a hold of the blood results showing Soria’s blood alcohol content was 0.154– almost twice the legal limit, which is 0.08.

KFOX14/CBS4 asked EPPD regarding the timeline, specifically what determines whether a driver suspected of drunk driving is arrested immediately or after an investigation, and while they said the department couldn’t comment on this case specifically, police spokesperson Sgt. Robert Gomez issued the following statement:

Thank you for your inquiry. While we cannot comment on the March 17 I-10 crash, we can explain how the El Paso Police Department investigates such incidents.All our investigations are strictly evidence-based. Gathering evidence is a careful process. Investigators need time to collect, process, and analyze evidence to guarantee a thorough inquiry. In cases involving intoxication, waiting for forensic evidence such as blood tests or toxicology reports is often necessary. This allows us to build a solid, fact-based case before filing charges.Every case is unique and determines its timeline. The time to make an arrest depends strictly on each case. There is no set timetable for when an arrest must occur. The only binding timeframes are the statutes of limitations, which vary by crime under Texas law.It is important to clear up a common legal misconception. An initial arrest is not a punishment. The arrest ensures the individual is correctly identified and processed at the County Jail. In most cases, a magistrate sets bail, and the person is released while awaiting court dates.A core principle of our justice system is the presumption of innocence. An arrest does not determine guilt or innocence. Only a judge or jury can do this in a court of law.We hope this gives your viewers a better understanding of how we handle these complex investigations. Let me know if you want more information on our procedures.

The arrest report also details that 15-year-old Ramirez was ejected from the blue 2017 Ford Escape her family was traveling in after she was not wearing her seatbelt and that Soria was allegedly driving the Mustang at 117 miles per hour right before rear-ending the vehicle.

Also, the report lists that the passengers of the Mustang– all women– identified Soria as the driver of the Mustang, calling her “home girl Andrea.”

The crash happened on a Tuesday, and by Thursday, the family of teen Sophia was mourning her death.

Speaking with KFOX14/CBS4, Desiree Ramirez, Sophia’s mother, said Sophia had been declared brain dead, but the family had kept her on life support as the family came together to bid farewell to her.

Ramirez said Sophia had suffered a severe brain bleed, a broken arm, and trauma to her heart, and that she went into cardiac arrest four times.

Meanwhile, jail records show Soria bonded out the same day she was booked.

Video shared on the popular social media account @therealfitfamelpaso shows the aftermath of the crash, where you can see the speeding Mustang ended wheels-up on the gravel.

Four people were injured, one in serious condition, after a crash on I-10 east at Lee Trevino. March 18, 2026. Credit: FitFam

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