PORTERVILLE, Calif. — The Porterville Police Department arrested a 19-year-old for gross vehicular manslaughter and DUI after police say he crashed into an apartment complex and killed a sleeping child.

According to police, Alexis Mendoza was driving in the area of the 1000 block of West Tomah Avenue when he failed to negotiate a turn because of excessive speed and crashed into an apartment complex.

Police said when the vehicle struck the apartment, it severely injured a sleeping child. The child was airlifted to Fresno Community Regional Medical Center where she died from her injuries.

Further investigation revealed Mendoza had been driving under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. He was booked into custody of the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department where he is being held in lieu of $100,000.00 bail.