Liberty teen’s death brings protests, charges

GRAHAM – The death of a teenager Daniela Trejo Mendiola near Liberty has led to controversy and then an arrest last week.

The accident occurred in rural Alamance County not far from the Randolph County line.

Mendiola, 17, was a pedestrian when she was struck after dark on the night of Aug. 20 along Oak Grove Church Road.

Despite the identity revealed of the driver of the vehicle involved in the incident, about two weeks passed without further resolution in the case.

Last week, demonstrations took place in downtown Graham with protesters demanding justice.

Then charges were filed Sept. 4 against Josh Thomas Brown, a Liberty man, for his alleged role in Mendiola’s death. He turned himself in.

The N.C. Highway Patrol cited “newfound information” in the decision to file criminal charges.

The charges listed included felony hit-and-run resulting in serious injury and death. Based on the police report, Brown left the scene, though he apparently returned prior to the arrival of the state police. He also was charged with a window tint violation.

The address for Brown, 38, is 8963-B Pleasant Hill Church Road, Liberty.

The police report says that Mendiola died on the scene.

Brown appeared in court last Thursday. The next court date is set for Sept. 27.

There has been confusion in one Randolph County community regarding the accident and case.

The Liberty Police Department isn’t directly involved in the case, though that agency issued a statement regarding the topic.

“Calling, emailing or messaging the Town of Liberty Town Hall, staff or Liberty Police Department will not assist you in your understandable quest for answers,” the statement said.

The Liberty statement also directed inquiries to the N.C. Highway Patrol and Alamance County District Attorney’s office.

“Neither the Liberty Police Department nor the Town of Liberty have any connection to the incident,” the statement said.