Woman dies after jumping out of moving vehicle, fiance charged with DUI

Sheriff’s deputies in Doña Ana County arrested a man allegedly driving under the influence after his fiancee reportedly opened the passenger-side door of the vehicle and jumped to her death.

It happened just before 10 p.m. Saturday, September 16, 2017 near the intersection of Valley Drive and Engler.

Doña Ana County Sheriff’s deputies who responded to the call learned Brenda Lenderman, 26, was the only passenger of a vehicle, allegedly driven by her fiancee, 26-year-old Lauro Hinojosa.

Investigators learned the couple had just left a family gathering and were driving home when “Lenderman reportedly opened the passenger-side door and jumped out of the vehicle on her own volition.”

Deputies performed CPR on the woman until medical units arrived. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Hinojosa was arrested for DWI and was released on his own recognizance Sunday afternoon. The incident remains under investigation, but no foul play is suspected, officials said.