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Sunday, July 05, 2009
Around New Mexico
From Journal Staff and Wire
Truck Strikes And Kills Pedestrian
A pedestrian in the South Valley was struck and killed by a truck early Saturday, and authorities suspect the driver was "impaired" and that alcohol was a factor.
Kimberly Jaramillo-McAfee, 43, died in the crash that occurred about 12:30 a.m. on Sunset near Arenal SW, according to the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department.
The driver was identified as Chris Colomo, who is in his 20s. He has been charged with vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of an accident and tampering with evidence. His bond was set at $150,000.
According to the Sheriff's Department, a silver Dodge truck with three occupants was heading north on Sunset SW from the Allsup's convenience store at Arenal and Isleta. The truck was traveling at a high rate of speed and tried to pass a gold-colored Toyota car on the left side of the road when the car made a left turn into a driveway.
The truck hit the car and then struck Jaramillo-McAfee, who was walking down the road. She was thrown from the scene and died.
Colomo fled, according to the Sheriff's Department. After witnesses were interviewed, Colomo was identified and caught about four hours later. The two occupants in the car were not injured.
"Investigators believe that the driver of the truck was impaired and that alcohol is a factor," the Sheriff's Department said.
Teen Shot By Taser Hospitalized
TUCUMCARI — Authorities say a teenage girl is recovering at an Albuquerque hospital after being shot in the head with a Taser dart by Tucumcari's police chief.
Stacy Akin says she and her 14-year-old daughter were arguing over a cell phone Thursday, and she drove her daughter to the Tucumcari Police Department to seek help.
While in front of police headquarters, the girl ran off and was later found at a park by Chief Roger Hatcher.
Hatcher says he got out of his vehicle and called to her, but she ran in front of his patrol car across a street without looking for traffic. Hatcher says he tried to catch up to the girl by foot but couldn't and believes he had no other option than to fire a Taser dart to stop her.
Akin says the dart entered her daughter's skull, and she remains in pediatric intensive care after undergoing surgery Friday morning at University of New Mexico hospital.
The girl's parents now are questioning whether excessive force was used by police and whether the department should review its policy on Tasers.
However, Hatcher says he plans to refer the case to the Juvenile Probation Office on Monday for possible charges.
Most Fire Rehab Areas Reopened
MOUNTAINAIR — The Cibola National Forest has opened most areas that were closed more than a year ago for rehabilitation work after fires in the Manzano Mountains.
The closures for emergency fire rehabilitation were lifted Friday, but the Mountainair Ranger District says some restrictions remain.
Cibola officials say Forest Road 245 from New Canyon Campground to Capilla Peak will be closed until trees that pose a hazard along the road and trailheads have been felled. In addition, the Capilla Peak, New Canyon and Tajique Campgrounds remain closed until restoration is finished.
No off-road vehicles are allowed within the Ojo Peak Fire, Trigo Fire and Big Spring Fire rehabilitation areas, although those areas are open to travel by foot, horseback or bicycles.
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