14-year-old killed in ATV crash at her birthday party, TN cops say. Now, dad charged

Melanie Mozqueda died from an incident during her 14th birthday party when she and a friend were riding an ATV and crashed into a Jeep, Tennessee authorities said.

Her father is now charged, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said May 20.

His attorney information is not available in Davidson County records.

On May 11, 40-year-old Victor Mozqueda was hosting his daughter’s birthday party at their home when Melanie and another 14-year-old friend took out an ATV, police said.

No one was supervising as they rode down a public street without helmets, according to investigators. Then they crashed into the side of a Jeep Patriot, and Melanie, who was a passenger, was severely injured, police said.

She was taken to a hospital, where she died the next day, officials said.

The Jeep driver wasn’t injured, and intoxication did not appear to be a factor in the crash, according to police.

Investigators are accusing Victor Mozqueda of allowing the two teens to unsafely operate the ATV.

A little over a week after his daughter’s death, the father faces an array of charges, including criminally negligent homicide involving a minor, two counts of reckless endangerment by motor vehicle, two counts of aggravated child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to Nashville authorities.

Melanie is remembered as being “always positive and always motivating others.”

“Melanie has been a constant pillar of support in everyone’s life,” family wrote in her obituary. “Whenever someone needed to talk, she was there to lend a listening ear without judgment. Her unwavering presence during both good times and bad has been a source of comfort and reassurance.”

This story was originally published May 21, 2024 at 11:47 AM with the headline "14-year-old killed in ATV crash at her birthday party, TN cops say. Now, dad charged."