Man arrested for vehicular homicide in deadly Sioux City crash

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — A Sioux City man has been arrested for vehicular homicide after a crash killed two people.

The crash happened on Sunday at the intersection of W. 3rd Street and Rebecca Street . Court documents state that the defendant, Rodney Silas, 26, of Sioux City, was driving at a high rate of speed while under the influence of alcohol heading east on W. 3rd Street.

While Silas was on W. 3rd Street, a 2008 Volkswagen was headed north on Rebecca Street. The Volkswagen was hit broadside by Silas’s vehicle, killing the driver, identified as Sandro Sanchez Mendez, 51, of Sioux City. A female passenger, identified as Susana Estrade Molina, 39, also of Sioux City, was taken to the hospital after the crash where she also died. A three-year-old child was also in the Volkswagen when it was hit by Silas. The child was also taken to the hospital, court documents stated.

Court documents state that Silas had bloodshot and glass eyes and also smelled of alcohol. Open beer containers were also found in the vehicle. They also found marijuana on him during a search.

Silas has been charged with two counts of homicide by vehicle – operating under the influence, both class B felonies; one count of serious injury by vehicle, a class D felony; and possession of a controlled substance – marijuana 1st offense, a serious misdemeanor.

Silas is being held in the Woodbury County Jail on a $6,000 bond.

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