NAMPA, Idaho — An 18-year-old woman is facing a first-degree murder charge in connection with the fatal parking lot confrontation that left a 19-year-old dead, as investigators revealed that evidence from her cellphone contradicts her original account of the incident.
Alissa Mae Huerta, from Caldwell, has been accused of deliberately running over Jade Aliyah Ramirez in a Nampa parking lot on July 26. Investigators allege that the incident stemmed from ongoing disputes related to Ramirez’s child and was not a random accident. Huerta has not yet been convicted, and her case is still pending. A preliminary hearing, during which a judge will determine if there is sufficient evidence to warrant the prosecution, has been scheduled for September 23.
The tragic encounter unfolded around 4:20 a.m. when police received reports of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers found Ramirez suffering from severe injuries, and she was rushed to a local hospital but ultimately succumbed to her injuries. The vehicle involved in the incident had fled the scene before law enforcement could investigate. Initially, police said evidence was insufficient to file charges, but further inquiries soon focused on Huerta.
Authorities allege that the confrontation was preceded by a long history of hostility between Huerta and Ramirez, which escalated over several months. The conflict reportedly ignited in February after Ramirez confronted Huerta about her connection with Ramirez’s child’s father. In the days leading up to the events of July 26, both women exchanged numerous threatening text messages. The morning of the incident, Huerta and her sister agreed to meet Ramirez in the parking lot, anticipating a fight.
Following the collision, Huerta claimed that she was attempting to escape from an assault when Ramirez struck her vehicle with a baseball bat. However, police obtained video evidence that allegedly shows Huerta’s vehicle making contact with Ramirez and continuing its course rather than fleeing. This footage reportedly depicts the Honda hitting Ramirez, lifting her onto the hood, and leading to a situation where she was subsequently dragged beneath the car.
In a significant turn, investigators accessed deleted content from Huerta’s cellphone, which included audio recordings from Snapchat suggesting her awareness of the collision post-event. In one recording, Huerta is quoted as saying, “I ran her over, though. I’m not going to lie,” a detail that raises questions about her intent. This evidence contradicts her initial claim that the collision was accidental. The strength of these statements may play a crucial role as the case progresses.
The transition from a pedestrian accident to a murder investigation unfolded within two days as detectives gathered enough evidence to delineate the nature of the confrontation. Authorities have classified the incident as isolated and confirmed that the public is not at risk. Huerta was arrested on July 28, illustrating a stark shift from the initial uncertainty reported by police.
Now over a month into the legal proceedings, attorneys have conferred about the evidence presented to Huerta’s defense, which has led to the postponement of her preliminary hearing for further review. The court has also ruled that recordings will not be played during the upcoming hearings, and the session will remain closed to virtual attendance.
The hearing set for September 23 will seek to address whether prosecutors have accumulated adequate evidence to justify continuing the first-degree murder charge. Although Ramirez’s death is indisputable, legal questions about Huerta’s intent and the interpretations of the gathered evidence will remain open for judicial examination. As the case develops, Huerta’s explanations and the available evidence will be crucial in determining the outcome.