Arrest made after 1 dead in Albuquerque crash
The crash happened just after midnight on Monday, July 1
The crash happened just after midnight on Monday, July 1
The crash happened just after midnight on Monday, July 1
Police arrested a man for several charges after he allegedly left the area of a fatal crash.
Three vehicles were involved in a crash at the intersection of Coors Boulevard and Montano Road NW. The Albuquerque Police Department responded around 12:30 a.m. Monday, July 1.
Responding police officers were told a man who caused the crash was suspected to be impaired, according to court documents. Witnesses said a vehicle was traveling fast, heading toward the intersection.
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That vehicle then hit two vehicles traveling westbound on a green light, according to court documents. Police said Jesus Sandoval-Martinez, 21, got out of his vehicle and left the area on foot.
However, witnesses were able to catch and hold him down until police arrived. One police officer found open containers of alcohol inside the vehicle, according to court records.
The crash resulted in the death of one of the three drivers involved. That driver, identified as 22-year-old Tiger Gutierrez, died at the hospital. The passenger of that vehicle is listed in critical condition, according to Albuquerque police.
The third driver involved suffered minor injuries. Sandoval-Martinez was transported to the University of New Mexico Hospital for his injuries.
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At the hospital, Sandoval-Martinez told Albuquerque police he had two beers that night. He was seen with bloodshot eyes, an odor of alcohol and slurred speech, according to court documents.
The interview with police at UNMH was done using a translator. Sandoval-Martinez did not have a valid driver's license through the state Motor Vehicle Division.
Albuquerque police found Sandoval-Martinez to be impaired and unable to operate a vehicle safely after sobriety testing. His blood was drawn after a warrant was approved. Sandoval-Martinez was arrested and faces several charges.
In total, Sandoval-Martinez is charged with two counts of vehicular homicide, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.
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