Defendant arraigned in crash that left pedestrian dead
FARGO — A 25-year-old Fargo woman charged in a spring hit-and-run that killed a West Fargo man made her first court appearance Thursday, July 9, in Cass County District Court.
Carly Vizenor is charged with a single felony count of duty in accident involving death stemming from a crash the morning of May 6 that killed 38-year-old Jose Mendoza Rodriguez of West Fargo. The collision occurred about 2:46 a.m. on 32nd Avenue South, just west of The Lights complex, according to charging documents.
"When she left the scene she was texting one of her friends that she knew that she had struck a person, and that person was, she believed at that time, deceased ... The friend she was snapchatting was begging her to go back, telling her that she needed to return, that she needed to call 911, that she needed to do the right thing. Miss Vizenor did not do the right thing,"
That description came from Cass County Assistant State's Attorney Ethan Lee during Thursday's arraignment. Prosecutors say Vizenor initially left the scene and that investigators recovered text messages and social media communications indicating she knew she had struck someone.
Vizenor's attorney, Jonathan Green, told the court his client was driving home from her job at Bar Down, a nearby sports bar, and argued for release without bail. He described the collision as a tragic incident, said Vizenor "should probably have stayed at the scene," and emphasized her ties to the community and lack of prior criminal history.
What prosecutors say happened after the crash
- Prosecutors contend Vizenor left the scene after striking the pedestrian.
- Texts and social messages allegedly show she believed the struck person was dead and that friends urged her to return and call 911.
- According to the prosecution, Vizenor's brother persuaded her to return; a 911 call was not placed until 22 minutes after the collision and was not made by Vizenor.
Judge Stephannie Stiel questioned whether investigators had found evidence of Vizenor texting or using social media at the very moment of the crash; the prosecutor said no such evidence had been located. The judge also asked about whether Vizenor had been on the sidewalk or otherwise exiting the roadway, with the prosecutor indicating investigators had not found evidence she had done so.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Jose Mendoza Rodriguez, 38, West Fargo |
| Defendant | Carly Vizenor, 25, Fargo |
| Date & Time | May 6, approx. 2:46 a.m. |
| Charge | Felony — duty in accident involving death |
The arraignment focused on whether Vizenor should be released pending further proceedings and potential trial. Her attorney asked for release without bail; the assistant state’s attorney argued bail was warranted given the behavior alleged after the crash.
This case raises questions for Fargo-area residents about pedestrian safety, late-night traffic near entertainment districts such as The Lights complex and responsibilities drivers have if they are involved in a crash. The matter will return to court for further hearings as prosecutors and defense counsel prepare their cases.
More details on scheduling and next steps will be available from Cass County District Court filings and updates from the Cass County State’s Attorney’s office as the prosecution develops its case.
